81R19293 JH-D
By: Creighton H.C.R. No. 136
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has designated a select group of
official symbols as tangible representations of the state's culture
and natural history; and
WHEREAS, The pecan tree, the bluebonnet, the Guadalupe bass,
and the mockingbird are examples of some of the natural specimens
that help denote the great beauty and diversity of our vast state;
and
WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the
tarpon as the official State Saltwater Fish of Texas will provide
suitable recognition of the aquatic life that inhabits the rich
ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal estuaries of our
state; and
WHEREAS, Given the scientific name Megalops atlanticus,
tarpon can live for more than 60 years and vary in size from
juveniles that are as tiny as baitfish to adults that can grow to
eight feet in length and exceed 200 pounds; the species is a
longtime Texas resident, having lived in the region since the
prehistoric era; and
WHEREAS, The tarpon, fondly known by anglers as the "silver
king," is found in the open waters of the Gulf to a distance of more
than 50 miles offshore, and it also inhabits inland estuaries along
the coast and will depart its saltwater home to swim up rivers; this
diverse range makes the tarpon uniquely accessible to a wide range
of fishing enthusiasts, including those pursuing the species on
seagoing boats and those casting lines from the shore or fishing
piers; tarpon are not often eaten in the United States, but the
spirited fight they put up when hooked makes them a popular quarry
for anglers, many of whom employ catch-and-release methods to help
preserve the population; and
WHEREAS, A rich history surrounds tarpon fishing in the Lone
Star State; in the first half of the 1900s, the Gulf Coast waters
were world famous for their abundance of the fish, with dignitaries
such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveling to Texas to try
their luck at landing a tarpon; and
WHEREAS, Today, this prized sport fish remains capable of
drawing large numbers of anglers and generating significant
recreational revenue to boost the state's economy; moreover, Texas
is playing a central role in efforts to insure the longevity of the
species; the work of several state conservation organizations,
ongoing scientific research by The University of Texas Marine
Science Institute, and funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department are providing marine biologists with a better
understanding of the ecology of the tarpon population in the Gulf of
Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, A majestic fish that has played a prominent role in
the development of the Gulf Coast sport fishing industry, the
tarpon continues to remind us of the grandeur of our undersea world,
and it is indeed a fitting addition to the notable roster of
official state symbols; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the tarpon as the official State Saltwater Fish of
Texas.