According to Lee Schlesinger, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted in the favor of elevating public awareness of the importance of Florida bonefish by declaring "bonefish", a saltwater game fish.

"Bonefish are one of the major reasons Florida is 'The Fishing Capital of the World,'" says Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission chairman Rodney Barreto.  "We took this action today to emphasize how important the bonefish fishery is to Florida anglers, visitors and South Florida's recreational fishing industry."

It is not legal to commercially harvest and sell bonefish in Florida, and fishermen are allowed to keep just one bonefish no smaller than 18" in fork length per day.

In addition the Commission also directed staff to create a draft rule for consideration in February that would include all species of bonefish found in Florida to FWC rules, extend FWC bonefish regulations into federal waters, and require that bonefish be landed in whole condition.

"Bonefish are one of the premier sport fisheries in Florida and are known as 'grey ghosts of the flats' because they are stealthy, fast-swimming fighters that are challenging to catch," said Barreto.

"That's why we recognize that conserving Florida's bonefish resources will ensure that anglers worldwide can continue to enjoy fishing for this special species."

source: http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/09/statewide/News_09_X_BonefishGamefish.htm