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BTT Gears Up for Bonefish Spawning Season in the Bahamas
Setting Forth to Learn More About One of Our Favorite Gamefish.
BTT Gears Up for Bonefish Spawning Season in the Bahamas
BTT Gears Up for Bonefish Spawning Season in the Bahamas
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) will focus its bonefish research on the Berry Islands, North Andros, and Grand Bahama during the upcoming spawning season, which spans October through April.
In the Berry Islands and North Andros, BTT scientists will work to identify bonefish pre-spawning aggregations (PSA) by conducting flyovers with a plane. This method has previously proven to be a fast and efficient way to locate PSAs, which can number thousands of bonefish.
“After bonefish congregate at PSA sites in massive schools, they move offshore at night to spawn in deep water,” said Justin Lewis, BTT’s Bahamas Initiative Manager. “So identifying PSAs and ensuring that they are adequately protected is vital to conserving the species for the future.”
To date, BTT has identified 11 PSA sites in The Bahamas with help of local fishing guides, who have shared their knowledge and expertise. BTT has successfully advocated for four PSAs to be protected as part of national parks in Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Long Island. The Bahamas flats fishery generates in excess of $169 million for The Bahamas’ economy annually and helps to support local communities.
Previous research has shown that bonefish can travel as far as 70 miles to reach a PSA site, which attracts large numbers of fish from the surrounding areas. After the bonefish spawn offshore around full and new moons, the hatched bonefish larvae drift for 41-71 days before settling in sand- and mud-bottom bays, where they grow into juvenile bonefish.
“Next spring, our focus will be on tracking bonefish spawning movements at the most recently identified PSAs in Grand Bahama,” said Lewis. “This will provide further insight into spawning behaviors and timing. We’ll also focus on educating the Bahamian public, guides and visiting anglers about the importance of these sites to sustainability of the fishery.”
Visit BTT.org to learn more and become a member.
Nick Roberts (@nick_onthefly) is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Editor of Bonefish & Tarpon Journal. He’s also a freelance writer who covers travel, fly fishing, and the environment.
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) will focus its bonefish research on the Berry Islands, North Andros, and Grand Bahama during the upcoming spawning season, which spans October through April.
In the Berry Islands and North Andros, BTT scientists will work to identify bonefish pre-spawning aggregations (PSA) by conducting flyovers with a plane. This method has previously proven to be a fast and efficient way to locate PSAs, which can number thousands of bonefish.
“After bonefish congregate at PSA sites in massive schools, they move offshore at night to spawn in deep water,” said Justin Lewis, BTT’s Bahamas Initiative Manager. “So identifying PSAs and ensuring that they are adequately protected is vital to conserving the species for the future.”
To date, BTT has identified 11 PSA sites in The Bahamas with help of local fishing guides, who have shared their knowledge and expertise. BTT has successfully advocated for four PSAs to be protected as part of national parks in Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Long Island. The Bahamas flats fishery generates in excess of $169 million for The Bahamas’ economy annually and helps to support local communities.
Previous research has shown that bonefish can travel as far as 70 miles to reach a PSA site, which attracts large numbers of fish from the surrounding areas. After the bonefish spawn offshore around full and new moons, the hatched bonefish larvae drift for 41-71 days before settling in sand- and mud-bottom bays, where they grow into juvenile bonefish.
“Next spring, our focus will be on tracking bonefish spawning movements at the most recently identified PSAs in Grand Bahama,” said Lewis. “This will provide further insight into spawning behaviors and timing. We’ll also focus on educating the Bahamian public, guides and visiting anglers about the importance of these sites to sustainability of the fishery.”
Visit BTT.org to learn more and become a member.
Nick Roberts (@nick_onthefly) is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Editor of Bonefish & Tarpon Journal. He’s also a freelance writer who covers travel, fly fishing, and the environment.
Bonefish Necessities
When you chase bonefish, you're definitely going to need to protect your skin from the sun. But you also want to make sure you have footwear that will allow you to hop out of the boat and stalk fish on foot. For these two key pieces of gear, the next time you chase bonefish, make sure you stash a pair of Simms Flats Sneakers and a few SolarFlex Cooling Hoodies in your quiver.
BTT Gears Up for Bonefish Spawning Season in the Bahamas
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