Understanding Migratory Jack Crevalle

Fisheries management often follows a repeating pattern where action is taken only if a species trends to a critical point. ASGA aims to break this cycle while proactively contributing to data and supporting leading researchers focused on unappreciated and understudied species like false albacore and jack crevalle. At the same time, we hope to see fisheries managers deploy strategies that prioritize abundance, hoping never to reach those critical points.

While known for their aggressive behavior and wide accessibility to anglers of all skill levels, the angling and science communities still have much to learn about jack crevalle. In addition to a weak scientific foundation, the species has little to no harvest constraints in the Southeast. ASGA guides on the East Coast of Florida are currently undergoing an effort to tag migratory jacks. The traditional spaghetti tags being deployed will provide movement data, insights into distribution, and potential stock boundaries if recaptured. Such information can be crucial for ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), especially in understanding predator-prey interactions.

This initiative marks another community-driven effort by ASGA fishing guides to proactively conserve an emerging fishery, ensuring sustainable practices well before any conservation crisis emerges. ASGA guides aim to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of jack movements with the long-term health of the jack population as their top priority.

Stay tuned for more in the coming months as ASGA amplifies researchers from around the country leading the charge on jack crevalle and the guides and anglers who value the species for their hobbies and businesses.