The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), nicknamed the silver king, is one of the world’s great saltwater sport fish due to its large size and spectacular fighting ability. Tarpon can reach over 8 feet and 350 pounds. When hooked, they have a penchant for leaping from the water. Tarpon inhabit warm coastal Atlantic waters from the United States to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Catch-and-release tarpon fishing is a 6 billion dollar industry in the United States. The epicenter is Florida. In particular, the Florida Keys are known for abundant tarpon.
In the Florida Keys, there are a few marinas where tarpon gather in large numbers. Here they are fed by tourists, or have learned that fish cleaning stations offer the promise of an easy meal. One such place is the main marina in Key West, just off busy Duval Street.
Key West is renowned for its saltwater sport fishing. American author, and noted saltwater sport fishing enthusiast, Ernest Hemmingway lived here. Each afternoon charter fishing boats return to the Key West marina after a day out fishing, and here the crew cleans the days catch. This involves filleting the fish for the charter clients to take home. The remaining fish carcasses are thrown into the marina water where they are devoured by a school of large tarpon. It is quite the spectacle. Over the fourth of July weekend I drove to Key West and visited the marina where, each afternoon, the tarpon (and other predators) gather to be fed.
The marina in Key West, Florida. The charter crews fillet the day’s catch dockside and throw the remaining scraps to the tarpon. Interested onlookers gather. Click to enlarge photos.
The feeding of the tarpon. In addition to abundant tarpon, there were several nurse sharks, a bull shark, a goliath grouper, and a green heron. Click to enlarge photos.
A few people even hand fed the predatory fish. Click to enlarge photos.
I took a few videos. Below I have included one of feeding tarpon, bull shark, and nurse shark.
Finally, a video (not taken by me) illustrating the remarkable leaping ability of tarpon. This was taken at another marina in the Florida Keys, Robbie’s of Islamorada.
Reason and Nature 
As always, Reason and Nature, an excellent education!
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