can you eat tarpon

Tarpon can be eaten, but it is generally not recommended and is often illegal to harvest for consumption in many places like Florida due to conservation laws. Tarpon meat is described as having a taste between salmon and tuna, with a white, flaky texture and an oily flavor. However, it contains many small bones and can have a strong fishy smell and taste, making it less popular as food. Additionally, tarpon tend to have high levels of mercury, which poses health risks if consumed in large quantities. Most anglers practice catch-and- release with tarpon because they are highly sought for sport fishing rather than eating. Specifically, in Florida, tarpon are protected by catch-and- release regulations, and it is illegal to harvest them for consumption. In other regions like Texas, while the flesh is edible, it is usually not eaten. Some people who do eat tarpon recommend only consuming those caught in clean waters and cooking them thoroughly by baking or grilling. In summary, while you can technically eat tarpon, it is not common, often illegal in some locations due to conservation rules, and the fish is challenging to prepare for consumption due to numerous bones and strong taste and smell.