Assessment of Habitat Requirements and Recruitment Dynamics for Young-of-the-year Bonefish Within Bear Cut Preserve, Florida

Anecdotal evidence suggests the Florida bonefish fishery may be declining (Ault et al. 2002). One of the significant factors to the decline of the bonefish stock could be degradation of habitat for young-of-the-year (YOY) bonefish. Insufficient habitat for YOY bonefish will reduce their chances for survival, thus reducing the entire bonefish stock.

Management organizations cannot protect habitat for YOY bonefish because their habitat requirements are unknown. In fact, habitat and recruitment dynamics have not been adequately described for any of the age classes of bonefish. Understanding habitat requirements and recruitment dynamics of bonefish is paramount to ensure the survival of future populations.

Gather data on recruitment and habitat requirements for young of the year (juvenile) bonefish through use of seine nets off Bear Cut Preserve, Key Biscayne, FL Habitats sampled randomly, monthly. Data from other fish species caught in seine nets will be collected.