Menhaden boats kill tarpon Aug 28

Last week 6 boats fishing recreational tarpon near chandeleur island were interrupted by two menhaden (pogey) boats. The ships steamed in between the tarpon boats where they were hailed on VHF and informed there was a large number of tarpon feeding on the pogeys. The pogey boat captain responded that they did not see any tarpon and neither did the spotter plane. They proceeded to drop their net boats and encircle the entire pogey school, capturing and kill tarpon as well.

The result can be seen in the photos below posted by one of the tarpon fishermen to Facebook. The tarpon in the net died. They also reported a tarpon ended up on the deck of one of net boats. The fishermen reported seeing several tarpon in the pogey net that were in bad shape, doubtful if they lived or not.

These guys do not care about their impact on our coast, capturing as much menhaden as possible is the goal regardless of bycatch or impact on others. Even when it was clearly communicated that their net would not only disturb the tarpon fishermen, but that it could catch the tarpon, they proceeded anyway. That should tell you all you need to know about the self-important mentality of the industry. They share the water with recreational anglers but act as though they are entitled to it more than the rest of us. We dont need people like this operating in our community.