This research continues to the present day, involving FWC scientists and Conservancy volunteers. Tarpon net pulls take place at the Preserve during the winter months, from November through April, on the third Saturday each month. A 600 foot seine net is used with our Jon boat to net fish in the two western ponds in the Preserve. The fish are counted, measured and returned to the ponds. This information is updated to the FWC database. In addition to juvenile tarpon, the netting can include mojarra, mullet, snook and tilapia.
Volunteers first meet by the equipment shed in the Wildflower Preserve at 8 a.m. to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat. The equipment shed is close to the Wildflower Preserve parking lot. Our UTV is used to tow the boat to the ponds by Fiddlers Green. Volunteers drive to the Fiddlers Green and use the carpark there. The actual net pull gets underway around 8.30 a.m. starting with the smaller of the two ponds. Volunteers should bring waders (if they own a pair) along with gloves, a hat, water and mosquito repellant. The net pull event usually finishes around 10 a.m.
Below you can view video of the net pull. This video was taken in 2017 but is still reflective of the more recent net pulls.
