WHEREAS, the Atlantic Tarpon (tarpon), Megalops atlanticus, is considered to be the most prized gamefish for recreational anglers throughout coastal Louisiana waters, as well as its range across the Gulf of America, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, the Federation recognizes and seeks to protect the special status and unique culture that is specific to the tarpon and tarpon fishing in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, many licensed Louisiana charter fishing guides rely on the tarpon as a species that is fundamental to their guiding operations in Coastal Louisiana and tarpon represent a significant renewable natural resource for charter fishing guides that generate significant economic returns to the local communities that support their industry; and
WHEREAS, the majority of adult tarpon in Louisiana annually congregate in the vicinity of Louisiana’s barrier islands, Venice, and Grand Isle between the months of May and October, where they stage and feed throughout the summer months on menhaden, mullet, and various other types of bait fish, and tarpon use Louisiana’s diverse estuarine habitats throughout their life cycles; and
WHEREAS, once prolific in Louisiana waters, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and the Barataria Basin, the Atlantic Tarpon population in Louisiana has experienced an alarming decline over the last 50 years, which is primarily due to a loss of habitat, the loss of significant forage fish, including menhaden and mullet, as well as an increased pressure from the commercial menhaden fishing industry; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) lists the Atlantic Tarpon as one of 46 marine fish Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in their 2025 Louisiana State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which gives the tarpon a S3 ranking, under the NatureServe priority system, classifying the fish as “Vulnerable” in Louisiana, and the tarpon is the only species listed, targeted by recreational anglers and guides, that does not receive regulatory oversight and protection in Louisiana waters; and
WHEREAS, numerous arguments for the lack of regulation have been put forward to justify reasons for the tarpon’s lack of protection, but LDWF has established regulation for all species of marlin, sailfish, swordfish, and spearfish, and these species have received gamefish status and have received common sense protections, even though they are species that are rarely studied and generally do not reside in Louisiana state waters; and
WHEREAS, the LDWF Wildlife Action Plan identifies the tarpon as requiring four specific action needs with regards to species management by LDWF. Currently LDWF provides no regulatory protections for tarpon, nor do they conduct any of the listed actions of need; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is recognized as the only state, or Gulf of America boundary nation, that does not provide regulatory protections to the Atlantic Tarpon; and
WHEREAS, the Federation recognizes that multiple entities, including Louisiana State University, The Grand Isle Tarpon Club, The Gulf Coast Waterman organization, and the Louisiana Tarpon Initiative are all working to promote responsible management for tarpon, as well as critical habitat protection, by participating in projects like acoustic tagging research, catch and release programs, scientific data collection, barrier island habitat restoration projects, and educational outreach efforts.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Legislature to amend Revised Statute 56:8.70(b) to include the Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) as a Louisiana Saltwater Gamefish, as prescribed to other species.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to consult with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and enact a one fish per person daily bag limit on Atlantic Tarpon, as well as a 65-inch minimum Fork Length (MFL) size limit for the species, which would be consistent with the average used by all other Gulf of America states in the management of the Atlantic Tarpon.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Louisiana Wildlife Federation requests the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to establish a research position for the tarpon, as directed in their own LDWF State Wildlife Action Plan because the tarpon is experiencing an alarming decline in Louisiana waters and the species is of critical economic need to Louisiana charter fishing guides that depend on the tarpon fishery for their livelihood.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled on February 28, 2026, in Lafayette, Louisiana.