FWC MOVES TO PROTECT ALLIGATOR GAR

February 1, 2006
CONTACT: Fred Cross (850) 265-3676

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has strengthened protection for alligator gar.

The action by FWC Commissioners, during Wednesday’s meeting at Gainesville, means that effective July 1, no one will be allowed to take or possess alligator gar in Florida waters without a special permit. Alligator gar, which get their name from having the body of a typical gar and a head that somewhat resembles that of an alligator, occur in rivers and brackish waters across the southeastern United States from Florida to Texas and into Mexico. However, in Florida they do not exist farther east than the Choctawhatchee River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico at Destin.

Alligator gar can exceed 300 pounds and grow to more than six feet long, according to Fred Cross, an FWC fisheries biologist.

Cross said alligator gar and other gar species are important to their ecosystem and play a role in the healthy ecological balance of fish communities.

“Their role in a healthy river system is just as important as any other native species,” he said.

Cross said alligator gar need protection in Florida, because sampling methods over the past couple of years “suggest the population has declined substantially.”

He said trends in other states reflect similar conditions. In some areas of its historic range the fish is now gone. Recent studies in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana suggest alligator gar are very susceptible to over-fishing.

Cross said the action by the Commission could result in specific research in the future directed at alligator gar.

Editors Note: For photos of alligator gar, contact Stan Kirkland or Toni Brannon at (850) 265-3676.

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