B_&_T_J_2015_

Cuda Concerns

BROOKE D. BLACK

is BTT’s Florida Keys Representative

Photos by Pat Ford

like some of our more revered species. Regardless of

how fast barracuda numbers have declined, the

depressed population has led to a coalition for

conservation in the angling community. Brief comments about

barracuda declines became extensive discussions, both locally and

regionally. In short, South Florida is asking, “what’s going on with

our barracudas?”

BTT reached out to fishermen, guides and scientists and a

common theme arose: under-regulated commercial and

recreational fishing. So BTT took a look at the Florida state

regulations for barracuda. Our findings indicated that for all

intents and purposes, there are no regulations. What is currently

in place for barracuda, an “unregulated” species to the Florida

Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), is a default recreational

bag limit which is defined as commercial quantities; 100 pounds

or two fish, whichever limit is reached

first. Many guides would argue that

barracuda on the flats are generally

smaller and it would be difficult to

catch two fish worth 100 pounds. On

the commercial side, FWC indicates an

increase of 65% by 2012 in commercial

landings for barracuda.

The resounding issue is one with which

we are familiar: a lack of data. We

know very little about barracuda life

history and general population dynamics. The information we

have is anecdotal, but that doesn’t make it insignificant. At the

November 20, 2014 FWC meeting in Key Largo, public

comments by guides, anglers, BTT scientists and conservation-

W

WE ALL KNOW THEGREATBARRACUDA.

Most of us have caught plenty. At some point along the way, we

may have under appreciated them because they weren’t the

intended target or one nipped at a leader knot when a bonefish

finally ate and ran. Although we may have had a run-in with a

barracuda, we all, as anglers, still respect them. Barracudas have

qualities a recreational angler values—speed, strength and

visibility. How many times have you amped yourself up on the

flats when you’ve seen small group of bonefish at first glance,

only to find it was a school of laid-up barracudas? They are an

integral part of the shallows and as an

apex predator, their importance

extends into many more habitats. They

contribute to a high-dollar recreational

fishery that provides leverage for

habitat and fishery conservation. These

days, we’re seeing far fewer of them in

South Florida and their decline on the

flats has been eye-opening for seasoned

guides and anglers.

For a couple of years, brief comments

would pop up in conversation about the lack of barracudas on

the flats. Some anglers would add that they haven’t seen many

since the 2010 winter fish kill. Others would say that they have

been watching barracudas slowly decline for decades, perhaps

Regardless of how fast barracuda

numbers have declined, the depressed

population has led to a coalition for

conservation in the angling community.