Make Bonefish Catch and Release

The BTT Florida Bonefish Initiative

December 16, 2009

On December 10, 2009, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) met to review draft regulations on bonefish recommended by the FWC staff.  This detailed re-examination of bonefish regulations resulted in part from BTT’s letters to FWC requesting more attention for this important fishery. Although some progress was made, BTT feels much more is needed to ensure effective long-term conservation of the fishery, and we will continue to work with FWC toward this end.  Please read on for details on new regulations, BTT’s response, and BTT’s pro-active plans for the future.

Unfortunately, the FWC Commission voted to accept staff recommendations, which were not sufficient:

• Extend state regulations into federal waters

• Include all species of bonefish in the regulations (now only Albula vulpes is included)

• Maintain bonefish as ‘no commercial sale’ (FWC’s version of ‘gamefish)

• Maintain as a hook and line fishery only

• Maintain daily bag limit of one bonefish per person per day 18” or larger

• No trophy tag system

Background

In Fall 2008, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust sent a letter to FWC requesting that they make bonefish a ‘catch and release’ species. In doing so, BTT felt that this would elevate the conservation status of bonefish, thus bringing much needed attention to the management of the fishery and habitats.  BTT’s concern stems from estimates that the Florida Keys bonefish population of today is 85% smaller than it was in the early 1970s, and that the Florida Keys habitats that support bonefish continue to be under threat.  The bonefish fishery provides a significant economic contribution to Florida, attracting anglers from around the world. The fishery and associated culture constitute a U.S. treasure unique to Florida, and should elevate bonefish to a level of special care and attention.  In its call for better bonefish regulations, BTT suggested the following:

• Bonefish should be a strictly catch-and-release species.

• Remove all mention of "possession" from the new law.

• Bonefish may be briefly and carefully handled for photos, biological measuring, etc., but then are required to be released unharmed (essential for maintaining the fishery).

• Institute an FWC "Bonefish Trophy Tag". The tag would be used ONLY in cases where a bonefish is to be harvested. Harvest will be defined strictly as moribund fish in the cooler (permanently kept for biological records), or one that is temporarily held in the live-well of a fishing vessel for transport to a tournament weigh-station, prior to its subsequent release.  Funds generated by trophy tag sales should be allocated to bonefish research

BTT Response to new regulations

• Catch and Release: Unfortunately, FWC has proposed an interpretation of “catch and release” that inhibits responsible conservation

• FWC has stated that “catch and release” is equivalent to “prohibited species”, meaning that following responsible catch and release practices, such as briefly handling bonefish for photos, would be illegal.

• This interpretation is contrary to management in other locations. Catch and release is used as a fisheries management tool throughout the United States and in many places in the world. In these locations, catch and release is interpreted as releasing the fish alive soon after capture, and responsibly photographing, measuring, and weighing of the fish are permitted.

• FWC’s interpretation of catch and release has wider implications that may have impacts on other fisheries.  FWC regulations indicate that the only reason to handle (possess) a fish is to measure it to determine if it is of legal size for harvest.  Therefore, any handling of a recreational species during closed seasons (such as for snook and spotted seatrout) would be illegal.  In addition, as fishing pressure increases and the use of catch and release as a management tool increases, a more realistic interpretation of catch and release will be necessary.

Next Steps

BTT restates its commitment to continue working with FWC toward effective and responsible management, including a workable interpretation of “catch and release” by FWC.  BTT will continue to work with FWC on projects designed to identify habitats critical to bonefish in the Florida Keys, including juvenile habitats. BTT will continue to work with guides and anglers in the Florida Keys to obtain information necessary for management.