Lucas P Griffin: Unraveling the migratory mystery of the Atlantic tarpon: a call for conservation
Channel: Fishbase Sweden
Date: 2023-11-08

Lucas P. Griffin, University of Massachusetts, USA, gave a lecture on "Unraveling the migratory mystery of the Atlantic tarpon: a call for conservation" at FishBase Symposium 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden, October 16, 2023.

ABSTRACT:  The Atlantic tarpon (_Megalops atlanticus_), also known as the Silver King, is revered for its fighting ability, acrobatic leaps, and sheer size (140 kg, world record!). Despite being one of the most sought-after catch-and-release game fish in the USA, little is known about the spatial ecology of this migratory marine species. Moreover, there are growing concerns about declines in this culturally and economically valuable fishery. 
To fill these knowledge gaps, we launched a multi-year tarpon acoustic telemetry project in collaboration with hundreds of recreational anglers and guides and in partnership with a diverse array of state and federal agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. Spanning the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern USA, we tagged 200 tarpon with 5-year battery life acoustic transmitters. 
Using this collaborative tracking network, we discovered that tarpon undertook far-ranging migrations, often surpassing 1000 km, during which they encountered multiple threats from anglers to sharks to toxic human-driven algal blooms. Tarpon also displayed much consistency in their seasonal migration routes, with high levels of repeatability from year to year. Our research also revealed the complex dynamics between these game fish and their shark predators, climate change, and their primary foods across their migratory range. In the face of declining tarpon populations and continued threats, coordinated efforts are needed to improve angling behavior, protect key habitats, and better manage the harvest of tarpon prey.