Whether you’re an occasional bonefisherman or a bonefish addict, you’ve had to wonder how many bones there are in the waters of Biscayne Bay and the Keys. Especially on those frustrating days when they are nowhere to be found.

In an effort to assess the numbers to ultimately determine the health of this economically vital recreational fishery, the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science conducted its second annual bonefish census on October 26.

A volunteer army, made up of pro flats guides, sport anglers, graduate students and scientists set out aboard 55 skiffs to visually count bonefish throughout the day in 19 clearly defined zones covering 1,721 square miles of popular bonefish territory. This year’s estimate turned out to be 304,805 bonefish (plus or minus 44,576 for a 14.6 percent coefficient of variation) or 177.11 bones per square mile.

In comparison, last year’s inaugural survey was done by individuals in 40 boats, in the same areas at the same time of year. And the numbers of fish were quite comparable.

Biologists feel that the comparable results indicate that they are on the right track and are using an effective process in the fish count.

If you are really into numbers, crunch the following: Expenditures related to bonefish sportfishing contribute approximately $1 billion annually to the Florida economy. That makes a bonefish’s annual worth $3,500 per year to the industry, or about $70,000 per fish over its lifetime. So next time you land a bonefish, give it some extra tender loving care when you release it, will you?

FS