The rule changes protecting Alligator Gar are official because we refused to back down. TPWD listened to the science and to us regarding these critical limits. Keep an eye on our local waterways to ensure these new protections are actually enforced on the ground.
February 16, 2019
Final supporters
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) is concerned about potential overharvest of the Alligator Gar(Atractosteus spatula). Recent scientific research suggests that the species’ stronghold could be threatened if stronger harvest regulations are not established to protect Alligator Gar populations.
TPWD has proposed new rule changes that affect the size and method of how Alligator Gar can be harvested. These rule changes, if put into law, would include a maximum size limit of four feet in length for Alligator Gar from the Trinity River between the I-30 Bridge in Dallas County to the I-10 Bridge in Chambers County. Additionally, bowfishing would be limited to only daylight hours statewide.
Current Texas law allows the harvest of one Alligator Gar per day per person. Based on scientific data, feedback from a recent survey conducted by TPWD, and the growing popularity of the bowfishing sport,the Texas trophy fishery for Alligator Gar may be at risk.
Please sign the petition and show your support to help protect Texas Alligator Gar for future generations; we also appreciate your sharing this petition to garner additional support!
Photo Credit: Tennessee Aquarium
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 30, 2019
January 29, 2019
The science shows these fish are vulnerable and the current harvest rules are outdated. Email the Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners today to demand they adopt the new size limits for the Trinity River.
January 29, 2019
We hit 100 signatures today. Post this link on Facebook and tag your local fishing club so we can keep building this momentum.
Reached 100 supporters
January 27, 2019
489 Comments
Some of the coolest and most fun fish to catch or just watch it would be a shame for them to disappear. One of the most prehistoric looking animals I have ever seen and hope to be able to show my kids later on how amazing and powerful these guys really are
As a biologist who has worked extensively with gar, I think the efforts of TPWD are a great step in the right direction for these awesome fish. Reducing overharvest benefits not only the fish, but anyone interested in continuing to pursue these animals as a sport fish.
The Gar is amazing at keeping other water animals in check and are able to control other water fowl, invading species like Asian Carp. This costs the overtaxed taxpayers $0 to help control invading species. The Gar should be totally protected and a catch and release only.
As human population increases without strict regulations wildlife populations decrease, fact. In my area we instituted a 3 per year limit instead of a 1 per day on sturgeon. Who needs 1 per day of a 4 ft fish? Protect them, the sport will generate income for years.
We usually only get one chance to save a species, because The Alligator Gar is a rough fish it does not get the advantage of being Sport fish with the dollars to preserve their habitats and species. We have to do what is right sometimes even if it is not popular. Thank You.
gar so tuff
Gar are an ancient and incredible fish. They were here before us and they deserve to be protected. Please take every step necessary to protect the gar. I grew up in Oklahoma and they are indescribably important to me.
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The rule changes protecting Alligator Gar are official because we refused to back down. TPWD listened to the science and to us regarding these critical limits. Keep an eye on our local waterways to ensure these new protections are actually enforced on the ground.
February 16, 2019
Final supporters
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) is concerned about potential overharvest of the Alligator Gar(Atractosteus spatula). Recent scientific research suggests that the species’ stronghold could be threatened if stronger harvest regulations are not established to protect Alligator Gar populations.
TPWD has proposed new rule changes that affect the size and method of how Alligator Gar can be harvested. These rule changes, if put into law, would include a maximum size limit of four feet in length for Alligator Gar from the Trinity River between the I-30 Bridge in Dallas County to the I-10 Bridge in Chambers County. Additionally, bowfishing would be limited to only daylight hours statewide.
Current Texas law allows the harvest of one Alligator Gar per day per person. Based on scientific data, feedback from a recent survey conducted by TPWD, and the growing popularity of the bowfishing sport,the Texas trophy fishery for Alligator Gar may be at risk.
Please sign the petition and show your support to help protect Texas Alligator Gar for future generations; we also appreciate your sharing this petition to garner additional support!
Photo Credit: Tennessee Aquarium
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 30, 2019
January 29, 2019
The science shows these fish are vulnerable and the current harvest rules are outdated. Email the Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners today to demand they adopt the new size limits for the Trinity River.
January 29, 2019
We hit 100 signatures today. Post this link on Facebook and tag your local fishing club so we can keep building this momentum.
Reached 100 supporters
January 27, 2019
489 Comments
Bow hunting of giant, 80+ year old gar needs to stop. It is just killing for the fun of it. Rarely anyone eats them and they are just killed for sport. They are Texas’s largest fish and have been here much longer than we have. Make the change.
Some of the coolest and most fun fish to catch or just watch it would be a shame for them to disappear. One of the most prehistoric looking animals I have ever seen and hope to be able to show my kids later on how amazing and powerful these guys really are
As a biologist who has worked extensively with gar, I think the efforts of TPWD are a great step in the right direction for these awesome fish. Reducing overharvest benefits not only the fish, but anyone interested in continuing to pursue these animals as a sport fish.
The Gar is amazing at keeping other water animals in check and are able to control other water fowl, invading species like Asian Carp. This costs the overtaxed taxpayers $0 to help control invading species. The Gar should be totally protected and a catch and release only.
As human population increases without strict regulations wildlife populations decrease, fact. In my area we instituted a 3 per year limit instead of a 1 per day on sturgeon. Who needs 1 per day of a 4 ft fish? Protect them, the sport will generate income for years.
We usually only get one chance to save a species, because The Alligator Gar is a rough fish it does not get the advantage of being Sport fish with the dollars to preserve their habitats and species. We have to do what is right sometimes even if it is not popular. Thank You.
gar so tuff
Gar are an ancient and incredible fish. They were here before us and they deserve to be protected. Please take every step necessary to protect the gar. I grew up in Oklahoma and they are indescribably important to me.
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Bow hunting of giant, 80+ year old gar needs to stop. It is just killing for the fun of it. Rarely anyone eats them and they are just killed for sport. They are Texas’s largest fish and have been here much longer than we have. Make the change.