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Catch and Release

Introduction

The term Catch and Release is a popular one amongst anglers across North America and throughout the world. It refers to the popular and growing practice of catching game fish by sporting methods and with sporting equipment and then releasing them alive after the catch. It is a voluntary practice, based upon ethics and traditional concepts, however, more and more areas now have mandatory catch and release policies to protect dwindling fish populations.

Fishresource.com strongly encourages catch and release fishing, whether it is because of personal belief or a management tool for the environment. Catch and Release refers to more than just letting go fish that you have caught. There are several survival considerations revolving around injury and stress to the fish, how the fish is hooked, how they are played and handled and how they are landed. Nets can also be damaging to fish, just as unhooking them can as well.

Many anglers voluntarily return fish for a number of reasons. One common example is simply because they don't like to eat fish. Another is that the local state or provincial governments often release guides to eating sport fish which detail various levels of toxins, etc., in various species. Sometimes the larger and older the fish, the higher levels of toxins they contain, making them unsafe to eat.

Toxic pesticides (Kepone) and other unknown contaminants, over-fishing, and disease have all contributed to the depletion of fish. In the past, traditional sport fishing practices were believed to increase the fishing quality by prevent overcrowding. But since 1975 when concerned anglers and officials enacted catch-and-release policies, fishing has been phenomenal with an increase in both fish size and numbers.

Probably the most common reason anglers release their catch is as a matter of conscience and because they are interested in seeing the fish population grow for future generations.

You should release fish if:

• you are fishing purely for sport
• your catch is below the minimum size required by local law
• the fish is too small to clean and eat
• you have no intention of eating the fish
• it is healthy enough to survive the fight and landing
• it is not badly wounded

It is important to understand that a fighting fish strains its body and uses oxygen at an increased rate. Do not overplay a fish you plan to release (do not use light equipment to catch large species if you plan on letting them go). Bring the fish in quickly without damaging it.

When practicing catch and release fishing, it is important to do the least amount of harm to a fish, so it has the greatest chances of survival to live and reproduce for other generations. There are many ways that we can ensure that we give fish the best fighting chance, when practicing catch and release.

For example:

• Use barbless hooks, because they reduce damage and handling time of the fish.
• Use a net and keep the fish in the water or wet your hands if you must briefly handle the fish to unhook it.
• Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Don't put your fingers in the gill covers or hold the fish by its eye sockets or squeeze it too hard.
• Do not use rough or hard surfaced gloves, since you may remove scales or mucus increasing the chance of infection for the fish.
• Make sure you gently remove the hook - use long-nosed pliers if you have to and gently work the hook back and forth until free. Avoid tearing out the hook.
• If deeply hooked, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. Do not try to remove a hook from deep within the fish.
• When releasing fish, hold them in the water in their normal swimming position and move them back and forth slowly to have water run across their gills. They should swim away under their own power.
• Revive exhausted fish by moving water through its gills. Move the fish headfirst through the water while supporting its belly, holding its mouth open, and letting the gills open. Move it gently forward, or hold it in a current, until it revives and swims away.

Barbless Hooks

There is a growing trend among conservation conscious anglers towards the use of barbless hooks. This is encouraged by many anglers who practice catch and release techniques. Some states and provinces have already begun to implement barbless hook policies for sport fishing. Until these policies are implemented and enforced, we encourage anglers to make use of barbless hooks on a voluntary basis and practice catch and release.

The biggest benefit of using barbless hooks is that they permit easier removal of the hook, which minimizes damage to the fish and also reduces handling time. This greatly increases the survival rate of the fish. Unfortunately, many fish that are released after being caught with a barbed hook die at a later time due to excessive handling and/or bleeding. We recommend removing the barbs from your hooks or pinching them down with a common set of pliers.

Always remember, catch and release fishing allows fish to be returned to the waters to spawn, which helps maintain future stocks.

The Survival Question

One of the first questions you should ask when deciding whether to release a fish after being hooked, played, netted or landed, handled and unhooked, is whether it has a good chance of surviving. The ability of the fish to survive will depend on many factors.

Probably the single most contributing factor to fish dying either before or after being caught is because of injury and stress. Some weakened so much by the fight are even made more susceptible to predators.

The term delayed mortality refers to the brief time period after a fish has been released, generally 24 to 48 hours afterwards, when the fish dies without the angler's knowledge. Anglers can eliminate and reduce fish stress and injury by understanding a few important points about fish anatomy and physiology.

Air Bladder - Performing several important functions and generally located between the stomach and the backbone, the air bag tends to keep the equilibrium of density between the fish and the water, as well as act in a flotation / balance capacity.

Circulatory System - Like us, our circulatory system is key to survival and the blood of a fish passes through it's heart to the gills for purification and travels throughout the body. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients and the heart is located close behind the fish's mouth. Remember when unhooking to be as gentle as possible to do as little damage as possible.

Digestive System - The digestive systems of fish are another dangerous spot that you should be aware of. Fish cannot always recover easily from injuries to the digestive system. Starting with the tongue at the front of the mouth, the digestive system includes the esophagus, the gullet and the stomach. Injuries to any of these parts make for a difficult recovery for the fish.

Mucus - This important coating is the barrier between the fish and parasites, fungi, and diseases. Do your best not to disturb this coating and allow the fish to keep as much of it's protective layer as possible.

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