WE GIVE!
Bonefish Research
For decades, it was assumed that since the recreational bonefish fishery was catch and release, conservation and management weren't needed. As we learn more about bonefish and the fisheries they support, however, we now know that this assumption was not valid. Research by BTT collaborators, for example, has revealed that the way that anglers handle bonefish can significantly influence the survival rate of bonefish after release. With this information we can now focus on angler education to ensure that catch and release is a valid conservation tool for sustainable bonefish fisheries.
It is also now apparent that the habitat loss and degradation, as well as illegal harvest, constitute real and potential threats to bonefish populations and the fisheries they support. This is why BTT supports research to identify key juvenile habitats and spawning locations so that efforts to protect these critical habitats and locations can be initiated. Similarly, tagging studies help to identify habitats essential to adult bonefish, again informing habitat conservation. BTT will continue to assess the status of knowledge for bonefish as well as threats, and fund needed research, conservation, and education projects.
Ongoing Projects
Archive of Bonefish Information
Studies Receiving BTT Support
Movements and site fidelity of the bonefish, Albula vulpes in the northern Florida Keys determined by acoustic telemetry. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for PDF
Behavior and mortality of caught-and-released bonefish (Albula spp.) in Bahamian waters with implications for a sustainable recreational fishery. Download PDF
Rethinking the status of Albula spp. biology in the Caribbean and western Atlantic. Download PDF
Effects of recreational angling on the post-release behavior and predation of bonefish (Albula vulpes): The role of equilibrium status at the time of release. Download PDF
The effects of using supplemental oxygen for retention of bonefish in tournaments. Download PDF
The economic impact of flats fishing in The Bahamas. Download PDF
An evaluation of the injury and short-term survival of bonefish (Albula spp.) as influenced by a mechanical lip-gripping device used by recreational anglers. Download PDF
Effects of different capture techniques on the physiological condition of bonefish Albula vulpes evaluated using field diagnostic tools. Download PDF
Aggregations and offshore movements as indicators of spawning activity of bonefish (Albula vulpes) in The Bahamas. Download PDF
Movements and site fidelity of the bonefish Albula vulpes in the northern Florida Keys determined by acoustic telemetry. Download PDF
Strategies for the capture and transport of bonefish, Albula vulpes, from tidal creeks to a marine research laboratory for long-term holding. Download PDF
Estimates of field activity and metabolic rates of bonefish (Albula vulpes) in coastal marine habitats using acoustic tri-axial accelerometer transmitters and intermittent-flow respirometry. Download PDF
Seasonal energetics and condition of bonefish from different subtropical tidal creeks in Eleuthera, the Bahamas. Download PDF
Thermal biology of bonefish (Albula vulpes) in Bahamian coastal waters and tidal creeks: An integrated laboratory and field study. Download PDF
Physiological disturbance and recovery dynamics of bonefish (Albula vulpes), a tropical marine fish, in response to variable exercise and exposure to air. Download PDF
Identification of a novel member in the family Albulidae (bonefishes). Download PDF
Impacts of dissolved oxygen on the behavior and physiology of bonefish: Implications for live-release angling tournaments. Download PDF
General Archive of Research Articles
Do we need species-specific guidelines for catch-and-release recreational angling to effectively conserve diverse fishery resources? (Full Citation: Cooke, S. J. & Suski, C. D. (2005). Do we need species-specific guidelines for catch-and-release recreational angling to effectively conserve diverse fishery resources? Biodiversity and Conservation 14, 1195-1209.)
Feeding habits of bonefish, Albula vulpes, from the waters of the Florida Keys. Download PDF
Age, growth, and mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes, from the waters of the Florida Keys. Download PDF
Post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes, exposed to different handling practices during catch-and-release angling in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. (Full Citation: Danylchuk, A. J., Danylchuk, S. E., Cooke, S. J., Goldberg, T. L., Koppelman, J. B. & Philipp, D. P. (2007). Post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes, exposed to different handling practices during catch-and-release angling in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Fisheries Management and Ecology 14, 149-154).
The evolutionary enigma of bonefishes (Albula spp.): cryptic species and ancient separations in a globally distributed shorefish. (Full citation: Colborn, J., Crabtree, R. E., Shaklee, J. B., Pfeiler, E. & Bowen, B. W. (2001). The evolutionary enigma of bonefishes (Albula spp.): cryptic species and ancient separations in a globally distributed shorefish. Evolution 55, 807–820.)
Resolving evolutionary lineages and taxonomy of bonefishes (Albula spp.). (Full citation: Bowen, B. W., Karl, S. A. & Pfeiler, E. (2008). Resolving evolutionary lineages and taxonomy of bonefishes (Albula spp.). In Biology and Management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries (Ault, J. S., ed.), pp. 147–154. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers for the bonefish, Albula vulpes and two congeners. (Full citation: Seyoum, S., Wallace, E. M. & Tringali, M. D. (2008). Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers for the bonefish, Albula vulpes and two congeners. Molecular Ecology Resources 8, 354–356.)
Biochemical and morphologic evolution of Hawaiian bonefishes (Albula). (Full citation: Shaklee, J. B. & Tamura, C. S. (1981). Biochemical and morphologic evolution of Hawaiian bonefishes (Albula). Systematic Zoology 30, 125–146.)
Maturation and reproductive seasonality in bonefish, Albula vulpes, from the waters of the Florida Keys. Download PDF
Feeding ecology of bonefish in Bahamian waters. Download PDF
Movement patterns of bonefish, Albula vulpes, in Bahamian waters. Download PDF
I-Kiribati knowledge and management of Tarawa's Lagoon resources. Download PDF
Behavior and mortality of caught-and-released bonefish (Albula spp.) in Bahamian waters with implications for a sustainable recreational fishery. (Full Citation: Cooke, S. J. & Philipp, D. P. (2004). Behavior and mortality of caught-and-released bonefish (Albula spp.) in Bahamian waters with implications for a sustainable recreational fishery. Biological Conservation 118, 599-607.)
Is catch-and-release recreational angling compatible with no-take marine protected areas? (Full Citation: Cooke, S. J., Danylchuk, A. J., Danylchuk, S. E., Suski, C. D. & Goldberg, T. L. (2006). Is catch-and-release recreational angling compatible with no-take marine protected areas? Ocean & Coastal Management 49, 342-354.)
Effects of recreational angling on the post-release behavior and predation of bonefish (Albula vulpes): The role of equilibrium status at time of release. (Full Citation: Danylchuk, S. E., Danylchuk, A. J., Cooke, S. J., Goldberg, T. L., Koppelman, J. & Philipp, D. P. (2007). Effects of recreational angling on the post-release behavior and predation of bonefish (Albula vulpes): The role of equilibrium status at time of release. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 346, 127-133.
Age, growth, food habits and reproduction of bonefish, Albula vulpes, in South Florida waters. Download PDF
Recruitment of bonefish, Albula vulpes, around Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Download PDF