BTT to Initiate Economic Study of Keys Fisheries

Bonefish and Tarpon Trust has issued a call for proposals for an economic study of the Florida Keys flats fisheries. To date, there has not been an assessment of the combined fisheries’ economic value (they did study bonefish value previously) and results could have a significant effect on conservation efforts.

BTT will fund the study to document the importance of the bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries to Keys’ businesses. The study will allow for the future assessment of the economic effects of changes in fishery population. The funding available for the project has been set at $110,000. The start date is August 1 and will run until March 29, 2013.