Grand Life Magazine Summer 23 - Flipbook - Page 15
“In the Bahamas, we have plenty of untouched, intact
habitat,” noted Justin. “We have a much healthier system
compared to other countries that may have overfished their
waters. That's why a lot of people come to the Bahamas, not
only for fishing but for diving as well. A big part of my job is
identifying key bonefish habitats so that we can help get
them protected. The focus is on how the fish utilize the
habitat opposed to the fish itself, because if you don't have
the habitat, you're not gonna have the fish.”
Like any sport, bonefishing takes time and practice. It takes a
great deal of patience, and a day's success involves a
combination of skill and luck. Many Bahamians and visitors
alike fall in love with the sport due to its serene nature - you
sit on the calm Grand Bahama waters, quietly taking in the
sights, sounds and smells of nature while waiting for a
bonefish to come into view. Then, it takes a bit of speed, skill
and chance to quickly reel one in.
Justin recommends getting a good pair of polarized
sunglasses. “Rather than looking at the water, which most
people do, you need to look through the water. You need to
see the bottom of the water. That's the way you're gonna see
the fish, because bonefish are called the ‘ghosts of the flats’
for a reason. They have something in their skin cells called
chromatophores. They'll expand and contract and they can
actually change color depending on the habitat they're in.”
Unlike sustenance fishing, bonefish are caught and released
back into the ocean, and it is vital to use the proper
equipment and follow a strict set of guidelines to ensure that
the fish are not harmed during the process.
“You are hunting on water. But, what's really unique about
bonefishing is that it's all catch and release. That's how we
make it sustainable. It’s also important how you go about
fishing. We did some research and looked at different
practices for releasing the fish. We found that there's multiple
steps that will maximize survival post release.”
Justin notes that it’s important never to grab a fish by the gills
or place the bonefish on a boat. “They're very sensitive to
angling pressure. Also, use heavier barbs, 15 or 20 lbs, that
minimize handling time. And, the best thing to do is to leave
the fish in the water.”
For
more
details
about
bonefish
handling,
visit
www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/bonefish-handling/. To arrange
a bonefishing trip while in The Bahamas, visit
www.grandbahamavacations.com
Grand Life Magazine
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