Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust BTT is a science-based organization dedicated to conserving flats fisheries and habitats.

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is a science-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve bonefish, tarpon and permit—the species, their habitats and the larger fisheries they comprise. BTT pursues this mission across the southeastern US, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean through science-based conservation, education and advocacy. Visit www.BTT.org to learn more and become a member of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

This license plate protects tarpon.Support clean water and healthy habitats with BTT's Florida license plate! Learn more...
06/13/2026

This license plate protects tarpon.

Support clean water and healthy habitats with BTT's Florida license plate! Learn more and order yours online at BTT.org/License-Plate.

“I have fished many of the world’s best waters and if I were asked to choose only one area in which to fish for only one...
06/12/2026

“I have fished many of the world’s best waters and if I were asked to choose only one area in which to fish for only one fish with one type of tackle for the rest of my life, without question, I would choose tarpon with a fly rod on the shallow flats of the Florida Keys.” —BTT Board Member Stu Apte

We hope you enjoy these vintage pics of a few of the legends gracing BTT’s Circle of Honor, including:
Stu Apte
Capt. Tim Carlile
Capt. Carl Ball
Flip Pallot and Lefty Kreh
Andy Mill
Thomas McGuane
Chico Fernandez with his son Stephen
George Hommell
Capt. Jose Wejebe

Looking for more Florida Keys tarpon fishing history?

Watch: “All that is Sacred” from YETI Presents is a short film about the making of the storied documentary film “Tarpon,” which captured the collision of counterculture and tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys in the 1960s and 70s. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5HUmj-DJM

Read: Randy Wayne White's “Ultimate Tarpon Book: The Birth of Big Game Fishing”. It really is the ultimate compendium of anecdotes, musings, quotes from legends, and a remarkable collection of historic photos showing the history of chasing the Silver King in Florida.

Short-shorts or poling in jeans: Which of these looks needs to make a comeback?

We think you deserve this dream boat, just like our fisheries deserve clean water and healthy habitats!New to the Floyd ...
06/11/2026

We think you deserve this dream boat, just like our fisheries deserve clean water and healthy habitats!

New to the Floyd Skiff Co lineup, the 5 WT is the lightest, most nimble, and easiest to tow, stow, and pole, with a Magic Tilt Trailers, Yamaha Outboards F40 motor, and a Marquesa Marine push pole.

“We’re donating this skiff because support for the sweepstakes makes BTT's research and conservation possible. It’s all for the future of our fishery and our industry.”—Brian and Heidi Floyd

Support BTT’s conservation mission by entering the today! With prize drawings all summer long, so the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win.

Watch a tour of the 5 WT at BTT.org/2026-Sweeps!

Photos by Dan Diez.

Thank you to our sweepstakes sponsors!
Floyd Skiff Co | Yamaha Rightwaters | Magic Tilt Trailers | Marquesa Marine | Simms | Fishpond | Costa | Turtlebox | Bajio | YETI | Danco | Sage | Rio Products | World Angling

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook or Instagram). You understand that you are providing your information to Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and not Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook or Instagram). By participating in this promotion, you agree to a complete release of Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook or Instagram) from any claims.

BTT welcomes Edward Kertis, new Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary! We look forward to working...
06/11/2026

BTT welcomes Edward Kertis, new Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary! We look forward to working with Superintendent Kertis and to continuing our strong working relationship with the Sanctuary and the guide community to protect and improve flats habitats in the Florida Keys.

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

BTT was back in D.C. for our annual fly-in during Capitol Hill Oceans Week! Staff and board members spoke with U.S. poli...
06/10/2026

BTT was back in D.C. for our annual fly-in during Capitol Hill Oceans Week!

Staff and board members spoke with U.S. policymakers at NOAA and the State Department, Bahamian Ambassador Wendell Jones, and Belizean Ambassador Nester Mendez about the economic and ecological importance of the Caribbean’s deeply interwoven flats fishery and discussed enforcement opportunities, science-based fisheries management, habitat conservation and restoration, and BTT’s partnerships with fishing guides.

BTT also met with the offices of Senator Scott (R-FL) and Representatives Wittman (R-VA), Webster (R-FL), and Himes (D-CT) to advocate for passage of the SHARKED Act and the Florida Safe Seas Act, both of which will begin to address shark depredation.

Three new laws to improve menhaden management and industry accountability in the Gulf were just signed by Louisiana’s go...
06/09/2026

Three new laws to improve menhaden management and industry accountability in the Gulf were just signed by Louisiana’s governor. These new laws increase fines for nearshore fishing violations, enhance vessel tracking capabilities, and publicize menhaden harvest reports to improve fishery oversight.

BTT is grateful to the many anglers and conservationists who raised their voices in favor of these common-sense reforms. We thank the Louisiana legislators and our conservation partners, CCA Louisiana, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Louisiana Wildlife Federation for their ongoing efforts to improve Gulf fisheries and habitats.

These are important steps forward for Gulf fisheries; BTT will continue to advocate for more sustainable management of menhaden to support balanced ecosystems and protect migrating tarpon in the Gulf.

To learn more about menhaden policy in the Gulf and Atlantic, read "The Menhaden Crisis" by Michael Adno in the Spring 2026 Bonefish & Tarpon Journal: https://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/journals/bonefish-tarpon-journal-spring-2026/

06/08/2026

This World Oceans Day, BTT thanks the fishing guides for your dedicated stewardship of our flats fisheries!

Since BTT's inception nearly 30 years ago in the Florida Keys, collaboration with fishing guides has been at the core of our conservation approach. Today, it's still the foundation of our work throughout Florida, The Bahamas, Belize, and Mexico.

From real-time reports of what's happening on the water, to donating time and effort to aid research in the field, guides share invaluable knowledge that springs from decades—and often, generations—of working hands-on with flats fisheries.

Want to help protect the flats? Become a BTT member today at BTT.org/Join!

When changes happen at the bottom of the food web, predators all the way up to the top are affected. BTT and partners at...
06/05/2026

When changes happen at the bottom of the food web, predators all the way up to the top are affected. BTT and partners at Florida International University are assessing changes in Florida Keys food webs that could be affecting permit fisheries. We'll be sharing a project update from the field soon, so stay tuned!

To learn more in the meantime, read "Deciphering a Permit Mystery" by T. Edward Nickens in the latest Bonefish & Tarpon Journal: https://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/journals/bonefish-tarpon-journal-spring-2026/

Photo 1:
Photo 2: Valentina Batista, FIU
Rehage's Coastal Fisheries Lab

Hurricane season has officially begun. Mangroves play an important role in protecting our coasts. Healthy mangroves not ...
06/04/2026

Hurricane season has officially begun. Mangroves play an important role in protecting our coasts.

Healthy mangroves not only benefit the wildlife that live in their tangled roots and leafy branches—they also protect our coastlines and communities from storm activity. Mangroves prevent erosion by reducing wave energy, and they can significantly reduce storm surge.

BTT’s Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project aims to not only maintain key bonefish habitat, but also keep our shorelines resilient for people and coastal communities.

Photo: The Berry Islands by Joe Klementovich.

Address

2937 SW 27th Avenue Suite 203
Miami, FL
33133

Telephone

+17866189479

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