minded groups such as KeysKeeper, highlighted the anecdotes
echoed by the angling community to shed some light on the issue
and implore the commission to set more stringent regulations
for the sport fish. In turn, the commission agreed to host a series
of workshops in the Keys to pinpoint the barracuda issues
and hopefully direct deeper investigation and regulations. It is
our hope that before the barracuda population reaches an
irreversible decline in South Florida, precautionary management
measures are taken to protect the current numbers and help the
population recover.
After all, barracuda are formidable adversaries that deserve
respect. As noted by Capt. Duane Baker, “Every experience
I have had with a barracuda has been great, going back to when
I was a kid. They have teeth, pull hard and jump!” We recognize
barracuda as great sport fish and an important part of the
flats ecosystem, and it’s time to put measures in place to
protect them.
“Every experience I have had with a barracuda
has been great, going back to when I was a kid.
They have teeth, pull hard and jump!”
— Capt. Duane Baker