the few remaining habitats are
overcrowded? We will hopefully
know the answers to these
questions soon.
The Wildflower project, and work
we have been doing elsewhere, led
to a new collaboration. This time,
we are collaborating with Charlotte
Harbor National Estuary Program,
Southwest Florida Water
Management District and Florida
Department of Environmental
Protection on a project, Coral Creek, also in
Charlotte Harbor. An ongoing large-scale habitat
restoration project was revised to accommodate
the Coral Creek project. For this project, six
remnant canals from a long-abandoned
development are being sculpted to act as juvenile
tarpon habitat. We are testing three different
designs to see which works best. The results of
this 3-year project will help guide restoration—as
we learn what habitat characteristics are best for
juvenile tarpon, we will be able to improve the
success of future habitat restoration.
Building on the momentum from these two projects
in Charlotte Harbor, we are now looking for more
habitat opportunities. Most recently, we began
working with guides and anglers in South Carolina.
After receiving multiple reports of anglers catching
juvenile tarpon in wetland impoundments in the
Lowcountry, we began working with South
Carolina collaborators to create a proposal to study these
juveniles. Although we know that juveniles are found in these
wetland impoundments, how widespread are they? Are they
able to survive the winter? If we modify how the wetland
impoundments are managed, will this increase juvenile tarpon
survival? Do these wetland impoundments contribute tarpon to
the fishery for adults? Given the large geographic extent of
these wetland impoundments along the South Carolina coast, the
answers to these questions are important.
As we learn more about the specific habitat characteristics that
are best for juvenile tarpon, we will be able to better target
habitats for protection and restoration. And we’ll be able to
continue expanding the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Program (in fact,
we have more projects that we hope to begin soon). This is
certainly not for those looking for instant gratification, but it’s
essential for the future of the fishery.
Because tarpon’s juvenile life stage depends
upon coastal wetland habitats that continue
to be lost, and tarpon are so long-lived,
the loss of these habitats can have
significant long-term effects
on the tarpon populations.
Right. Throwing a cast net is one of
the techniques used to catch the
juvenile tarpon. Photo by Dan Dow.Right. Throwing a cast net is one of
the techniques used to catch the
juvenile tarpon. Photo by Dan Dow.The team discusses antenna placement at the Coral Creek project.
Photo by Dan Dow.