ENGLEWOOD — Bonefish & Tarpon Trust dedicates its time and resources to conserving the habitats of tarpon, bonefish, permit and other species of fish across the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
In Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande, JoEllen Wilson helps with restoration efforts as a part of the trust’s Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative.
Wilson talked about habitat research and restoration efforts during SUP Englewood’s Coffee & Conservation talk recently.
“BTT is a nonprofit organization,” Wilson said. “Everything we do is science and research based for the sole purpose of conservation.”
Wilson has an angling background. She grew up fishing in Charlotte Harbor, thinking she would be a fishing guide.
“They get up way too early — and they also don’t do a ton of fishing,” Wilson joked.
Her experience as a homegrown Charlotte County native provided Wilson with familiarity with the local habitats that she uses daily for the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative.
TARPON LIFECYCLEIt makes sense to be concerned about the area’s local waters, especially when they’re an important aspect of the area’s economy and tourism.