Below you will find scientific papers on the effects of catch-and-release on bonefish. We’ve included studies from the around the world so that you have the full extent of the science. Studies conducted in The Bahamas (from which these best practices were drawn) are indicated as such.
Scientific papers are referred to by the last name of the author and the year the paper was published (e.g. Smith 2022). For papers with two authors, both are listed (e.g. Smith and Smyth 2022); papers with three or more authors list the last name of the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and all”; e.g. Smith et al. 2022). We have done the same here and listed paper alphabetically.
Bahamas. This study tested the use of recovery bags (a black, sensory deprivation bag with mesh ends to allow for ample flow through of water that has been used on other species) on bonefish to see if they helped facilitate recovery and increased survival after release. They found that the bags did aid in recovery, but further work is needed to see if they also increase survival rates.
This study examined how bonefish in Puerto Rico responded to impacts from catch-and-release. They found that air exposure caused significant impacts and should be avoided especially with bigger fish and at higher water temperatures.
Bahamas. This was the first study conducted on bonefish catch-and-release in The Bahamas. They examined bonefish mortality and behavior in two location and found very high mortality (39%) in areas with high shark abundances.
Bahamas. This study looked at the usefulness of several diagnostic tools for measuring the effects of catch-and-release impacts on bonefish.
Bahamas. This study examined what chemical excretions might be alerting lemon sharks to bonefish and enabling post-release mortality. They found that ammonia and urea might be allowing sharks to detect bonefish that have been impacted by catch-and-release.
Bahamas. This study examine the impacts of catch-and-release on bonefish over several days. They found that the majority of mortality associated with catch-and-release occurs in the first minutes (as opposed to hours or days) after release.
Bahamas. This study examined which aspects of an angling event impact the survival of bonefish after release. They found that fish that lose equilibrium (nose dive or roll belly up) prior to release are six time more likely to suffer post-release predation. This article was also reviewed in a Finsights.
Bahamas. This study looked at the impacts of using lip grippers (e.g. Boga Grip) on bonefish and found that they can cause serious injury and should be avoided. This article was also reviewed in a Finsights.
This is a large review paper that examines the effects of climate change on recreational flats fishes and fisheries around the world.
Bahamas. This study examined the impacts of sunscreen and UV blocking gloves on the slime removal of handled bonefish. They found that hands coated with sunscreen or UV blocking gloves removed more slime than bare, clean, wet hands.
This study examined the post-release predation on an island in French Polynesia with a large shark population. They found that air exposure as well as number of sharks in the immediate area impacted the rate of post-release predation and suggested that anglers fishing in such areas should release fish quickly and move flats often.
Bahamas. This study examined the role of dissolved oxygen concentrations in tournament-like conditions when bonefish are held in a livewell before release. They found that both too little and too much oxygen (created by using an aerator) created behavioral and physiological problems for bonefish and recommend that if bonefish are placed in a livewell that fresh seawater should be circulated into the livewell frequently.
Bahamas. This study examined the ability of bonefish to expel hooks left in their mouth and gut. They found that all fish survived the 14 day observation period following hooking and that bonefish expelled barbless hooks in the gut nearly four times faster than barbed hooks. They recommend that anglers should cut the line instead of digging out a difficult to remove hook from bonefish.
Bahamas. This study examined how long it took for bonefish to physiologically recover from catch-and-release. They found that it took 2 to 4 hours for metabolic disturbances to return to normal and over 4 hours for ionic disturbance to return to baseline levels.
Bahamas. This study examined the impacts of cold shock (i.e. cold water) on bonefish physiology and behavior. They found that abrupt declines in water temperature of more than 7 degrees Celsius from storm events or upwellings could have physiological and behavioral impacts that lead to mortality in bonefish.