Protection for Spawning Florida Bonefish

In April 2023, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust scientists announced they had for the first time documented a bonefish pre-spawning aggregation site in the Florida Keys. To protect this critical area, in May 2024 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed special protection for this area in Biscayne Bay. The proposed changes would prohibit hook-and-line fishing and the possession of hook-and-line gear within a 1.74-square-mile area east of Elliott Key from November through May.

“This aggregation discovery is a milestone in the recovery of this iconic fishery,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “We recognize this site’s importance and are committed to continuing the protection for this significant species.” FWC will accept public comments and then issue a final rule at its August meeting. To comment on this proposal, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

The aggregation site was discovered during the 2022-2023 bonefish spawning season, which spans from October to April. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Florida Keys Initiative Manager Dr. Ross Boucek and his team tracked 67 fish and logged more than 94,000 detections to find the site. Fourteen bonefish detected together at the site had been tagged at distant flats, including two fish tagged 55 miles away. Those tagged fish led researchers to a site that seasonally comprises approximately 2,000 to 5,000 fish and is located three to four miles offshore along a reef.

“It is encouraging to see that our bonefish population in Florida has recovered to a point now where big spawning aggregations can form,” said Boucek. “It’s our job to make sure that these fish can keep spawning for years to come. We can do this by protecting the habitats that support these aggregations, reducing human stresses from boat traffic and other on-water activities that could disrupt their spawn, and most importantly improving water quality. Harmful contaminants in the water have been shown to affect fish reproduction. We will continue to let science lead the way by determining what actions need to happen to keep bonefish spawning safe and happy.”

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