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Boom...Morgan

Take Action...Help Save Belize's Blackadore Caye

Via BTT's ED Jim McDuffie:

Development of Blackadore Caye, Belize would damage flats fisheries and set a dangerous precedent.

Blackadore Caye in Belize is under serious threat from development. Please read BTT's statement below and write the Belize Department of the Environment directly at envirodept@environment.gov.bz to voice your opinion. Please write before this Wednesday, August 31, as the National Environmental Appraisal Committee meets on August 31 to evaluate the proposal. 

The flats fishery of Belize is world-renowned because of the diversity of the species that can be caught, including bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, and barracuda. Sport fishermen from around the world travel to Belize to fish the flats, providing an annual economic impact of more than $100 million Belize dollars. But the flats fishery is only as healthy as the flats habitats.

	Angler fights a bonefish off Blackadore Caye.  Photo: Kevin Barker

A development project proposed by developer Delos and actor Leonardo DiCaprio will have negative impacts on the flats near Ambergris Caye, and would set a dangerous precedent that would threaten the flats habitats throughout Belize.

This proposed project, Blackadore Caye Restorative Island Project, would construct extensive piers on the flats with over-water houses and hotels on them. Not only would this fragment the flats habitat, but it is also in violation of the rules governing the Hol Chan Marine Reserve where Blackadore is located.

BTT has strongly opposed the project since its inception, particularly the overwater structures.The proposed structures that would be part of the development would replace flats habitats with habitats that are not used by the flats species. Instead of having large, continuous flats around Blackadore, the flats habitat would be broken up by the new structures. This type of habitat change is called 'fragmentation', which has been shown by many legitimate scientific studies to have extensive negative impacts on many fish species. Further, the developers are proposing dredging the flats to provide sand to create beaches, which would also be detrimental to the flats.  Since BTT research has shown that bonefish have small home ranges, the loss and destruction of flats habitats around Blackadore Caye will certainly impact the local bonefish population. Allowing this to occur inside a protected marine reserve would also set a dangerous precedent for the rest of Belize.

The flats fishery of Belize is not only economically important, it's also culturally important. The job of 'flats fishing guide' is frequently passed down through families for generations, and many of the lodges that host anglers are family-owned and operated. The flats fishery was deemed so important to the future of Belize that the legislature designated bonefish, tarpon, and permit 'catch and release only' to ensure the fishery stays healthy. Since bonefish, tarpon, and permit have high survival after being released, this is a sustainable fishery - as long as the flats habitats are protected.

BTT has been working with the fishing guides and lodges of Belize for 15 years, and will continue to help them protect their fishery for the future. This is why BTT has joined with El Pescador Lodge and the flats fishing guides to oppose the proposed development plans for Blackadore Caye. We hope you will stand with us.

Write the Belize Department of the Environment directly at envirodept@environment.gov.bz to voice your opinion. You must write before August 31, as the National Environmental Appraisal Committee meets on August 31 to evaluate the proposal.

Boom...Morgan

Subscribe to Tail Magazine and Support Conservation

Boom...Morgan

Fly Product...ARC Fishing's Dry Fly Line

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And don't forget we're giving $10 from any fly line purchased in our online store to one of five angling conservation nonprofits.  And you decide which organization receives your donation. Free Shipping on orders over $25!

For every ARC fly line sold in our online shop, we’ll give $10 to one of several angling conservation nonprofits near and dear to our family, and yours. Even better, you get to decide where the $10 donation goes. Learn More

Available in WF4-WF5.

Boom...Morgan

ARC Fishing's "Gear Up and Give Back"

Buy Great Gear.  Support Great Causes.

Two Great Reasons to Switch to ARC.

The season is here, and now’s the time to upgrade that worn out fly line and two-year-old tippet with a great new fly line, tippet and leader from ARC.

Since giving back is at the heart of what we do as anglers, ARC is giving $10 from any fly line purchased in their online store to one of five angling conservation nonprofits (AFFTA Fisheries Fund, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, the Coastal Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, and Western Rivers Conservancy) and you decide which organization receives your donation.
 
So don’t just gear up for opening day. Move up to ARC this season and help protect fish habitat. Oh yeah, and you get FREE SHIPPING!

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Boom...Morgan

BTT X Rep Your Water

Totally worth it, I did it! Maybe the hat will give me some good mojo to get my first perm!

When you sign up for this special introductory membership to Bonefish and Tarpon Trust for just $25, we will send you the Rep Your Water / BTT Permit hat for FREE! In addition to the hat, you will also receive the same benefits that our Associate Members enjoy, including:

• A BTT Sticker
• The 2016 BTT Journal
• Access to our Members-Only E-Newsletter which is full of fishing tips from our Conservation Captains, special deals on fishing gear, and amazing product giveaways!
• Trip of a Lifetime Entry- The opportunity to win a trip of a lifetime to fish at the Palometa Club in Punta Allen, Mexico

Are you already a BTT member? You can still purchase the hat and you can gift the one year introductory membership to a friend or family member. We will send the hat to you, and they will receive a BTT sticker, the BTT Journal, the Members-Only E-Newsletter, a fly, and a BTT koozie. Just be sure to fill out the “Gift Recipient Information” at the bottom of the page.

Bonefish and Tarpon Trust's mission is to conserve and enhance bonefish, tarpon, and permit fisheries in the US and throughout the Caribbean Basin. Our continued success can only be guaranteed by your generous support. 

Click here to sign up!

Boom...Morgan

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Fin Clip Challenge

Via BTT:

Announcing the BTT Fin Clip Challenge sponsored by Yeti Coolers. From March 1st until March 23rd, BTT needs you to collect as many bonefish fin clip samples as possible from South Florida waters for genetic analysis in support of Yeti’s Bonefish Genetics Program. The angler who is able to submit the most fin clip samples before the March 23rd deadline will win a new Yeti Hopper cooler with artwork by marine artist Jorge Martinez. Second place will win a Yeti Roadie cooler and third place will receive a pair of Costa Sunglasses. Additionally, all three winners will receive a ticket to the event and awards ceremony at BTT’s 3rd Annual George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat Fundraiser on March 31, 2016 in Islamorada, Florida.

Challenge Duration: March 1- March 23, 2016
All fin clips must be returned to Brooke Black at a drop-off location or by mail no later than March 23, 2016.

Envelope Pick-up / Drop-off Locations:
BTT Office , Miami (135 San Lorenzo Ave. Unit 860)
Fly Shop of Miami, South Miami (US1 and SW 67th Ave)
Orvis at Ocean Reef, Key Largo
BTT Office, Islamorada (MM 82, Sotheby’s building)
Florida Keys Outfitters, Islamorada (MM 81)
Marathon Bait and Tackle, Marathon (MM 37)
Sugarloaf Marina, Summerland Key (MM 17)
The Angling Company, Key West (Corner of Eaton & Simonton)

Submit by mail:
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
P.O. Box 1327 Tavernier, FL 33070

Fin clips are easy to collect and not harmful to bonefish. The fin grows back just like a human fingernail. Just measure the fish, take the fin clip, release the fish and fill out the envelope information. All information is confidential.

To learn how easy it is to fin clip a bonefish, check out this video:

Boom...Morgan

Take Action...Florida's Fisheries Need Our Help

Via BTT:

Polluted freshwater discharge flowing over a spillway on Taylor Creek in Fort Pierce, FL.

Photo: Dr. Zack Jud - Florida Oceanographic Society

Florida's Fisheries Need Our Help

Statement on Everglades Restoration- Please ACT NOW!