Welcome Letter

Welcome to the long-awaited 7th International

Science Symposium & Flats Expo!

Your participation in this special event commemorating BTT’s 25th Anniversary demonstrates your commitment to the conservation of the flats fishery. Over the next two days, stakeholders from across the world of flats fishing—scientists, resource managers, industry leaders, and the angling community—will come together to share information, foster collaboration, and affirm their support of mission-critical work to improve water quality, conserve habitat, and ensure effective fishery management.

The theme of the Symposium is Conservation Connections, with an emphasis on addressing known fisheries management needs with actionable science. The program features science presentations and panels by BTT, collaborating scientists, resource managers, and stakeholders on important research and conservation topics, including the urgent need to improve water quality and wastewater treatment infrastructure in Florida, and to protect and restore threatened habitats throughout the range of bonefish, tarpon, and permit in this hemisphere. We also invite you to attend the fishing panel discussions featuring top anglers and guides, who will share their winning strategies for success on the flats. And don’t miss the spin and fly casting clinics, fly tying clinics, and the popular Art + Film Festival.

The fishing and boating industries play an essential role in conservation and provide vital support to BTT’s mission. We’re proud to count many of the leading brands among our closest partners. Industry representatives will be on hand at the expanded Flats Expo to showcase their latest products and share stories of their corporate commitment to conservation.

The capstone of the 7th International Symposium will be an evening celebration honoring Circle of Honor inductees Matt Connolly, Sandy Moret, Chico Fernandez, Dr. Andy Danylchuk and Dr. Gordy Hill for their many contributions to the conservation of our shared flats fishery.

We hope you will find these two days informative, fun and inspiring, and return to the flats with even greater resolve to protect and conserve our fisheries. On behalf of the BTT Board and staff, we appreciate your interest and support of our mission.

Carl Navarre | Chairman of the Board

Jim McDuffie | President and CEO

Dr. Addiel Perez, BTT’s Belize-Mexico Program Manager (second from left), and volunteers capture bonefish for tagging to track spawning migrations. Photo: Patrick Williams