At the FFI Gulf Coast Classic, our Keynote Speaker Dr. Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust brought to the attention of the audience a bill currently in process in the 2026 Louisiana legislative session. House Bill 688 by Representative Joseph Orgeron would designate the Atlantic Tarpon as a gamefish.
Why is this important? Currently, tarpon in Louisiana are no different than pinfish or hardhead catfish as far as regulatory status goes. And yet, the state’s offshore waters represent one of the major migratory grounds as well as a small, but key spawning area.
Here are the regulations for tarpon in other states:
– Florida: Catch and release only. Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water. For pursuit of a record fish, a $50 annual tag for harvest of one (1) fish only.
– Texas: Daily bag limit of 1, minimum length 85″.
– Alabama: Harvest tag required, 1 per person per year, 60″ minimum length.
– Mississippi: Harvest tag required, 75″ minimum size.
– Georgia: 68″ minimum size
As a gamefish, tarpon would come under the regulatory management of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, which could then set harvest limits and/or tag requirements.
HB688 is supported by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Fly Fishers International and other conservation groups. As of this writing, the bill has passed the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House floor. It is now under consideration by the Senate Natural Resources Committee. It must still get to the Senate Floor before going to the governor for signature – and that time is getting short!
As difficult as it is to believe, there is some opposition to HB688. For that reason, the FFI Gulf Coast Council asks our Louisiana members to email their state senators and request them to VOTE YES FOR HB688.
Members of the LA Senate:
https://senate.la.gov/Senators_FullInfo
