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All About Florida Keys Fishing & Key West Fishing
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anglers Asked to Report Tagged Snook in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys
Biologists from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) are asking anglers to be on the
lookout for and report tagged snook caught in the waters of Florida Bay and the Florida Keys.
Common snook are being actively tagged by professional fishing guides and biologists in Florida
Bay and the Florida Keys for a pilot study funded by the Wildlife Foundation of Florida/Discover
Florida’s Oceans license tag. The study is coordinated by biologists with the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
This pilot study will examine seasonal movement, genetic exchange between the Gulf and Atlantic
stocks (which have been managed separately since 1997), and possible recruitment sources of
common snook in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, an area lacking in information on large scale
movement and recruitment of snook. Genetic material (a fin clip) is collected by the fishing guide or
biologist at the time the fish is initially tagged and released, and is used to determine the degree
of genetic exchange that may occur.
Past tagging research has shown snook that belong to the Atlantic stock tend to move seasonally,
some long distances. Due to this movement pattern, it is very likely that some of the fish tagged in
this study may travel from the Keys into the southern Atlantic counties (Palm Beach, Broward, and
Dade) and be recaptured there. Past tagging research has shown that snook that belong to the
Gulf stock show a tendency to move much shorter distances, however, the fish tagged in this study
may also be recaptured in areas adjacent to the northwestern section of the study area, such as
Whitewater Bay up through the 10,000 Islands.
So what can you do, as an angler, to assist biologists with this study?
If you capture a common snook with a yellow dart tag, which will be located next to the first dorsal
fin (on the fish’s back), please accurately record the four-digit tag number (numbered 1000 through
4999), the date, total length of the fish, and location of capture. The tag itself may be fouled with
algae, which is normal. Carefully use your fingernail and scrape it off to reveal the tag number, but
do not use a sharp object as this may damage the printing on the tag.
Please do not remove the tag from the fish or cut off any portion of it.
Carefully release the fish alive back into the water after recording the valuable information. This will
allow biologists to track long-term movement via multiple recaptures and releases. This practice is
encouraged. If you decide, however, to harvest the fish, please be certain it is within current state
regulations for common snook (seasonal, bag, and slot limits apply— please check your local
area regulations as they vary by coast).
Finally, please report your tagged snook capture by phone to our toll-free FWC Tagging Hotline
number at 1-800-367-4461, which is available 24 hours a day. Information on the tagged snook
capture can also be reported via e-mail at TagReturn@MyFWC.com.
Reward t-shirts will be distributed to anglers who report complete recapture information.
Additionally, anglers who are interested may also receive periodic reports on the progress of the
study. Those reporting anglers will also be entered into a drawing for a cash prize!
Biologists from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) are asking anglers to be on the
lookout for and report tagged snook caught in the waters of Florida Bay and the Florida Keys.
Common snook are being actively tagged by professional fishing guides and biologists in Florida
Bay and the Florida Keys for a pilot study funded by the Wildlife Foundation of Florida/Discover
Florida’s Oceans license tag. The study is coordinated by biologists with the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
This pilot study will examine seasonal movement, genetic exchange between the Gulf and Atlantic
stocks (which have been managed separately since 1997), and possible recruitment sources of
common snook in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, an area lacking in information on large scale
movement and recruitment of snook. Genetic material (a fin clip) is collected by the fishing guide or
biologist at the time the fish is initially tagged and released, and is used to determine the degree
of genetic exchange that may occur.
Past tagging research has shown snook that belong to the Atlantic stock tend to move seasonally,
some long distances. Due to this movement pattern, it is very likely that some of the fish tagged in
this study may travel from the Keys into the southern Atlantic counties (Palm Beach, Broward, and
Dade) and be recaptured there. Past tagging research has shown that snook that belong to the
Gulf stock show a tendency to move much shorter distances, however, the fish tagged in this study
may also be recaptured in areas adjacent to the northwestern section of the study area, such as
Whitewater Bay up through the 10,000 Islands.
So what can you do, as an angler, to assist biologists with this study?
If you capture a common snook with a yellow dart tag, which will be located next to the first dorsal
fin (on the fish’s back), please accurately record the four-digit tag number (numbered 1000 through
4999), the date, total length of the fish, and location of capture. The tag itself may be fouled with
algae, which is normal. Carefully use your fingernail and scrape it off to reveal the tag number, but
do not use a sharp object as this may damage the printing on the tag.
Please do not remove the tag from the fish or cut off any portion of it.
Carefully release the fish alive back into the water after recording the valuable information. This will
allow biologists to track long-term movement via multiple recaptures and releases. This practice is
encouraged. If you decide, however, to harvest the fish, please be certain it is within current state
regulations for common snook (seasonal, bag, and slot limits apply— please check your local
area regulations as they vary by coast).
Finally, please report your tagged snook capture by phone to our toll-free FWC Tagging Hotline
number at 1-800-367-4461, which is available 24 hours a day. Information on the tagged snook
capture can also be reported via e-mail at TagReturn@MyFWC.com.
Reward t-shirts will be distributed to anglers who report complete recapture information.
Additionally, anglers who are interested may also receive periodic reports on the progress of the
study. Those reporting anglers will also be entered into a drawing for a cash prize!
