Last week the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust announced that a mangrove die-off first sighted on The Marls of Abaco appears to be spreading. Healthy mangroves are critical for the well being of flats fish, and therefore is of great concern.
According to BTT, the cause of the die-off is unknown, but a team from North Carolina State University has been assembled in hopes to figure it out. However, they are calling on all anglers to report any signs of mangrove die-offs throughout the Caribbean. Any photos and/or GPS coordinates of severe mangrove leaf loss could help researchers narrow down the cause of the die-off.
So, go fishing, take photos, and help protect your favorite flats species.. It’s a win win! For more information on how you can help, read BTT’s original report, here.
I recently fished the South Bight all the way to the west side with Doug Saunders of Mangrove Cay— we did not see any sign of mangrove die – off and I looked carefully