NOAA Documents COVID Fishing Impact

February 17, 2021

TX Coastal Freeze Kill-Update & Interview

February 17, 2021

“It’s only gonna get worse. I found this approximately 36-inch tarpon floating in the marina harbor….very bad day for the neighborhood.”

That Facebook post from Dean Thomas of Slow-ride Guide Services in Aransas Pass was the first evidence of fish kill I saw as the record-setting freeze settled in on the Texas Coast Monday.

In addition Jeff Neu of Neu Outfitters shared photos of several tarpon he found dead in the harbor area of Port Mansfield. He also shared with us photos of dead snook in the same area and we have verified with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials other evidence of dead snook in the Lower Laguna Madre ecosystem.

Dean Thomas with a dead tarpon found in the Aransas Pass area.

“Tarpon and other tropical and subtropical species, such as snook and bonefish, at the northern edges of their geographical range occasionally suffer mortality due to severe cold events,” said Aaron Adams, Director of Science & Conservation with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT)

Check out the latest Higher Calling Gulf Coast for an in-depth look at how freeze kills have impacted tarpon and snook as well as coastal habitat with Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

Jeff Neu found this and several other dead juvenile tarpon in the harbor at Port Mansfield.

Adams said the lower lethal water temperature limit for tarpon is 48 degree Fahrenheit, though they can die from rapid declines in water temperature that don’t reach 48 degrees.

“For example, a rapid decline from 65 to 55 degrees may cause death,” he said.

Adams said BTT would like information on tarpon mortality during the freeze event. You can post comments with the info below and we will share or directly email Adams at office@bonefishtarpontrust.org

Tarpon to a great extent remain mysterious fish and any information that can help BTT and fisheries managers understand them will be of great benefit to this iconic sportfish.

“The tarpon, snook, and bonefish that are most vulnerable to cold kills are those in shallow waters and are unable to escape to deeper, warmer waters before the temperature drops to unsafe levels. This typically means that juveniles are hit the hardest, but adults that get stuck in the backcountry or other shallow areas can also fall victim to the cold,” Adams said.

Officials with TPWD said they expect more evidence of fish kills to show up in the coming days. You can do your part to help tarpon conservation by providing valuable information on any kills fish on the Texas as well as the Louisiana Coast.

Check out the latest Higher Calling Gulf Coast for an in-depth look at how freeze kills have impacted tarpon and snook as well as coastal habitat with Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.