Results are in from the fourth annual bonefish population census in the Florida Keys, and not much has changed in the past year. But according to Dr. Jerry Ault, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science associate professor of marine biology and fisheries, that's exactly what he'd like to see.

"As long as the numbers aren't drastically different from year to  year, it means that our methods for measuring the bonefish are working, and that the resource appears to be sustainable," Ault said. 

Although this year's study had shown a slight increase in the number of bonefish caught and released during the survey, as well as an increase in the relative density of the bonefish population in the Keys, these numbers may have as much to do with increased participation and support of local fishermen as it does with bonefish population stability. Coordinated by the Rosenstiel School and Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited, the census aims to document population trends of one of South Florida's most important sport fish. 

"What has been exciting about this year's census is that we've had  more participation than ever," Ault said. "It's becoming even clearer to fishing guides, enthusiasts, and environmentalists alike that understanding more about the bonefish helps, not only the environment and the state of fishing, but the state of Florida." 

Participation in the census has grown steadily each year. Fifty-nine teams joined efforts in 2006, spread out across 19 zones in four regions (Biscayne, Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys) from Key Biscayne to the Marquesas. During the one-day survey on October 19, bonefish sightings were recorded and reported directly to Ault's team at the Rosenstiel School.

Last year's census indicated a fishable population over 340,000 while this year's preliminary findings point to an increase in that number estimated at nearly 400,000 bonefish throughout the Florida Keys. The bonefish being calculated are only those large enough (i.e. 14 inches) to be targeted on the flats for catch and release sport fishing.

Ault began working with the BTU in 2003 to determine the populations in order to scientifically evaluate ecosystem changes. With help from local flats guides in the Keys and their customers to pole the flats looking for bonefish, they counted the number they saw and caught. Much of the study's success lies with the help of volunteers: local guides, fishermen, scientists, and flats anglers.

Bonefish are an important "indicator" species, in that they help scientists to better understand the population density of small organisms in the same community, while also providing clues to the overall health of the ecosystem. Decline in the number of indicator species often give early clues that something is wrong. Their importance however, is not only biological, but economical as well. 

"I often refer to the bonefish around here as little bars of silver because of the tourism dollars they bring to our state," Ault said." Bonefish bring in roughly $1.0 billion annually in tourism due to sport fishing to the Florida economy, which factored down ends up being $75,000 per fish over its lifetime." 

Professional guides from the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association, the Lower Keys Fishing Guides Association, and the Key Largo Fishing Guides Association provided the census with boats and manpower to further aid their success.