Abstract

Bonefishes, Albula spp., are highly valuable game fish that supports economical important recreational fisheries throughout the wider Caribbean Sea. Since 1998, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has been leading a collaborative tag and recapture research program that involves scientist and professional fishing guides. To date, more that 4,000 bonefish have been tagged and an annual bonefish population census has been conducted for the past five years in South Florida. A similar research program is being developed at Los Roques Archipelago National Park, a location considered one of the most popular recreational fishing destinations in the Caribbean for bonefish. With the economical support from the UNEP-Caribbean Environmental Program, a knowledge exchange initiative between fishing guides and scientists was conducted at the archipelago in June, 2008. Workshops, seminars, open discussions and field trips were conducted during five days of intensive activities in order to inform the local fishing guides about the scientific findings on the biology and population dynamics of this species in the area, provide training on tagging and visual census methodology, and exchange ideas on the sustainable use of this important resource. Similar programs could be conducted in other location within the region to promote the co-responsibility in the resources management.

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