Jeff Williams (yes that's me) and Capt. Wendell Harper discuss Georgia's conservationists launch of Operation ROE (Release Over Eighteen)
Operation ROE was a put together by a coalition of angler-supported conservation groups, including Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Satilla Riverkeeper, Georgia Kayak Fishing, Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah Riverkeeper, is calling on Georgias fishermen to ensure the future of one of their favorite catches the spotted seatrout. The groups are asking their members and the angling public to voluntarily release spotted seatrout over 18 inches long.
DNR studies show that approximately 94 percent of trout more than 18 inches in length are females, so it is not surprising that many anglers refer to all larger fish as roe (egg) trout. Research has shown that larger, older females produce many more eggs than smaller individuals. An 18-inch female seatrout has the potential to produce almost 18 million eggs during the six-month spawning season almost five times the egg production of a 14-inch trout. Plus, older fish have survival traits valuable in the gene pool.
The voluntary release of larger trout is a great way for the average angler to directly participate in conservation while helping to ensure therell be more fish to catch in following years.
Regardless of whether or not you hunt and fish, we should all be good stewards of the environment and the resources available to all of us through a healthy environment. Living in such a beautiful place has its own responsibilities and ensuring our environment is healthy and enjoyable is just such a responsibility.
Operation ROE was a put together by a coalition of angler-supported conservation groups, including Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Satilla Riverkeeper, Georgia Kayak Fishing, Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah Riverkeeper, is calling on Georgias fishermen to ensure the future of one of their favorite catches the spotted seatrout. The groups are asking their members and the angling public to voluntarily release spotted seatrout over 18 inches long.
DNR studies show that approximately 94 percent of trout more than 18 inches in length are females, so it is not surprising that many anglers refer to all larger fish as roe (egg) trout. Research has shown that larger, older females produce many more eggs than smaller individuals. An 18-inch female seatrout has the potential to produce almost 18 million eggs during the six-month spawning season almost five times the egg production of a 14-inch trout. Plus, older fish have survival traits valuable in the gene pool.
The voluntary release of larger trout is a great way for the average angler to directly participate in conservation while helping to ensure therell be more fish to catch in following years.
Regardless of whether or not you hunt and fish, we should all be good stewards of the environment and the resources available to all of us through a healthy environment. Living in such a beautiful place has its own responsibilities and ensuring our environment is healthy and enjoyable is just such a responsibility.
Jeff Williams, Realtor
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
912-270-0032
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
912-270-0032
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