By Susan Cocking
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]decline in prey like shrimp and crabs is not the main cause of the drop in bonefish populations in Florida Bay, according to a one-year study conducted by Audubon Florida and funded by the nonprofit Bonefish Tarpon Trust.
The study by researchers Pete Frezza, Shawn Liston, Jerry Lorenz and Michelle Robinson suggests other factors – the diversion and quality of freshwater delivered to Florida Bay; toxins in bottom sediments; pollutants from farms and yards; increased boating pressure; mercury contamination; and ocean acidification – might share the blame for the decline of a sport fish that pumps $427 million annually into the Florida Keys economy.
“While a decrease in prey may likely have been part of the cause of the decline since the 1980s [and perhaps even earlier], prey abundance alone does not appear to explain the dramatic decline in Florida Bay bonefish that has occurred in recent years [since 2006],” the authors wrote.
Protected areas
The researchers recommend implementing marine-protected areas for bonefish such as pole/troll and catch-and-release-only zones in Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. They endorse Everglades restoration initiatives, such as bridging the Tamiami Trail and completing the second phase of the C-111 project to improve the quality and quantity of freshwater flowing into Florida Bay.
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