PERMIT TAGGING
DEMYSTIFYING THE
King of the Flats Tagging studies yield valuable information about permit BY NICK HONACHEFSKY | PHOTOS BY DR. AARON ADAMS
P
ermit are the undisputed kings of the flats. With their broad profiles, these fish are brawlers not easily tamed with a fly rod. Their scarcity adds to their mystique. The sprawling sand flats of Belize are world famous for permit fishing. They draw anglers from around the globe looking to tangle with the yellow-tinged, silver bruisers. Those same flats and the permit who live there also allow for new research initiatives focused on the species. Scientific studies are important tools in managing the species, especially in relatively remote areas such as Belize. The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) has conducted a permit tagging program in Belize since 2010. “We’re looking to find patterns of permit movement and habitat use and apply that to Belize’s fisheries management strategy,” said Dr. Aaron Adams of the BTT. “The goal is to gather info from tag returns to inform management to make proper decisions on permit regulations as well as managing the degradation of coastal habitats in order to protect affected habitats.”
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