Tarpon Tomorrow spearheads the coordination between anglers and biologists undertaking the most comprehensive study of tarpon behavior ever conducted in Texas.  Working in conjunction with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Texas Parks & Wildlife and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Tarpon Tomorrow facilitates the placement of satellite tracking tags in tarpon by Texas anglers.


                         Satellite Tracking Tags

Archival tags are proving to be a significant source of critical information necessary to promote a comprehensive management plan for tarpon throughout their migratory range. The PAT (pop-up archival transmitting) tag is an instrument that is designed to be towed by a tarpon for a preprogramed time period, which may be up to two years, after which the tag automatically releases itself from the animal, floats to the surface, and transmits its recorded data to an orbiting Argos satellite.  These tags are approximately 6” long x 1 ½” in diameter and contain sensors, memory chips and transmitters. They are attached to the tarpon high on the back behind the head.  These tags are set to record temperature, water depth and locations at various times during any given day.



            Previous Tag History

   Previous PAT tagging efforts have focused on the east coast of the US, Louisiana and Mexico.  While significant data has been gathered, the Texas connection has previously been absent from the data.  Through the work of Tarpon Tomorrow and the Tarpon Tomorrow Texas Tournament Series, we are beginning to fill the gap with data on Texas tarpon.  It is the goal of Tarpon Tomorrow to place a sufficient number of PAT tags in Texas waters to gain meaningful insight into tarpon movements in theTexas bay systems and off the immediate Texas coast.