What is the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) encourages anglers from throughout the state to genetically sample a tarpon, regardless of size, prior to release for identification purposes. We will evaluate our genetic samples from tarpon over time to estimate recapture rates and to examine the interconnectivity of tarpon among Floridas estuaries, meaning a study to determine if tarpon travel between different offshore areas of the state. A small sample of skin cells collected from the outer jaw of the captured tarpon provides enough DNA to determine whether the fish was previously caught. For more information or instructions on how to collect skin cells from a tarpon, see our instruction page. A tarpon DNA sampling kit is available by e-mailing us at tarpongenetics@MyFWC.com or calling us toll free at 1-800-367-4461.
