This page provides short summaries of research that BTU is currently supporting, and research we see as high priority and in need of funds. This page will be updated as projects are funded, projects are completed, and new projects are formulated.

BONEFISH AGE AND GROWTH

Project Title: Age and growth of bonefish in the Caribbean

Once classified as a single circumtropical species (Albula vulpes), recent taxonomic and genetic research has identified more than eight species of bonefishes worldwide. Until 2001, the Caribbean-Western Atlantic population of bonefish was assumed to be a single species, Alblua vulpes. In 2001, a genetically distinct bonefish species that also inhabits shallow water was identified – Albula species B. Clearly, it is important to determine which species is in the recreational fishery for effective management. We recently documented habitat overlap by juveniles of Albula vulpes and Albula species B in numerous Florida and Caribbean locations; in fact, more than 95% of juveniles were Albula species B. Thus far, however, the adult bonefish captured in the recreational fishery in the Caribbean have been identified as Albula vulpes. Considerably more samples are needed from many more locations.

As a side project to the collection of samples for bonefish species identification, we began to sample adult bonefish from Caribbean locations for age determination. Annual growth rings in the otoliths (earbones) of collected bonefish were used to determine age (similar to growth rings in trees). Prior to our research, bonefish ages had been determined only for Florida Keys bonefish. Results so far indicate the growth rate of bonefish in Caribbean locations is considerably slower (1/2 to 1/3) than the growth rate in the Florida Keys. Research is urgently needed to determine the extent to which this is truly a regional phenomenon, and, if so, why this occurs. Such differences in growth rates may cause fish to mature or enter the fishery at different sizes or ages around the Caribbean, which may necessitate different management measures among locations.

Research is ongoing to:

1. Use genetic analysis to determine the species composition of the recreational fishery in the Caribbean-Western Atlantic, and define the geographic distributions of A. vulpes and A. species B.

2. Determine whether growth rates of bonefish truly differ among locations in the Caribbean-Western Atlantic.

• Total Project Cost: $74,000
• Matching Funds: $35,000
• Needed Funds: $39,000