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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas has designated a select group of |
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official symbols as tangible representations of the state's culture |
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and natural history; and |
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WHEREAS, The pecan tree, the bluebonnet, the Guadalupe bass, |
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and the mockingbird are examples of some of the natural specimens |
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that help denote the great beauty and diversity of our vast state; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the |
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tarpon as the official State Saltwater Fish of Texas will provide |
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suitable recognition of the aquatic life that inhabits the rich |
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ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal estuaries of our |
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state; and |
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WHEREAS, Given the scientific name Megalops atlanticus, |
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tarpon can live for more than 60 years and vary in size from |
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juveniles that are as tiny as baitfish to adults that can grow to |
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eight feet in length and exceed 200 pounds; the species is a |
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longtime Texas resident, having lived in the region since the |
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prehistoric era; and |
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WHEREAS, The tarpon, fondly known by anglers as the "silver |
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king," is found in the open waters of the Gulf to a distance of more |
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than 50 miles offshore, and it also inhabits inland estuaries along |
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the coast and will depart its saltwater home to swim up rivers; this |
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diverse range makes the tarpon uniquely accessible to a wide range |
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of fishing enthusiasts, including those pursuing the species on |
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seagoing boats and those casting lines from the shore or fishing |
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piers; tarpon are not often eaten in the United States, but the |
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spirited fight they put up when hooked makes them a popular quarry |
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for anglers, many of whom employ catch-and-release methods to help |
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preserve the population; and |
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WHEREAS, A rich history surrounds tarpon fishing in the Lone |
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Star State; in the first half of the 1900s, the Gulf Coast waters |
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were world famous for their abundance of the fish, with dignitaries |
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such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveling to Texas to try |
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their luck at landing a tarpon; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, this prized sport fish remains capable of |
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drawing large numbers of anglers and generating significant |
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recreational revenue to boost the state's economy; moreover, Texas |
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is playing a central role in efforts to insure the longevity of the |
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species; the work of several state conservation organizations, |
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ongoing scientific research by The University of Texas Marine |
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Science Institute, and funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife |
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Department are providing marine biologists with a better |
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understanding of the ecology of the tarpon population in the Gulf of |
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Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean; and |
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WHEREAS, A majestic fish that has played a prominent role in |
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the development of the Gulf Coast sport fishing industry, the |
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tarpon continues to remind us of the grandeur of our undersea world, |
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and it is indeed a fitting addition to the notable roster of |
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official state symbols; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the tarpon as the official State Saltwater Fish of |
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Texas. |