04-13-2006, 05:54 PM
ST. PETERSBURG, FL-Biologists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) need the public's help in collecting genetic information from tarpon. Scientists have asked anglers statewide to clip a half-inch piece of tissue from the fin of any tarpon caught anywhere in Florida. The FWRI is offering tarpon anglers a free fin clip kit for submitting this tissue sample. The samples will enable biologists to identify and catalog each tarpon and determine whether the fish was caught and released previously. Scientists use this information to determine survival, health, migration and movement of tarpon through state waters. For more information on how you can submit tarpon tissue samples, call (800) 367-4461 or email tarpongenetics@myfwc.com.
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