Catch and Release
The fisheries resources of our State are finite and coming under increasing pressure. The numbers of many species important to anglers have declined; this is why fisheries regulations have been put in place to cover bag limits, size limits, closed seasons and in some cases the total protection of species. As a result, anglers often catch fish that the law requires them to return to the water. It is also becoming common for anglers interested in the sporting aspects of fishing to release some fish that they could legally keep. The emphasis of game-fishing, for example, is shifting from capture and kill to tag and release.
The benefits of releasing fish alive are widely recognized. Released fish can live on to be caught later, when they are bigger. They also continue to spawn, improving populations in the longer term. Numerous studies of freshwater fisheries have shown that most fish survive catch and release.
The site and severity of the hook wound obviously plays an important part in whether or not a fish will survive.
Fish hooked in the gills and gut are less likely to survive than those hooked less deeply. However, even deeply hooked fish can survive if the line is cut and the hook left in place. Removing the hook has been shown to reduce dramatically the chances of a fish surviving. The type of tackle used can influence fish survival. Many studies have reported that fish caught on lures or flies are more likely to be hooked superficially in the jaw or mouth and have higher survival rates than fish caught on bait.
Fish become stressed as a result of capture and handling. This stress is known to upset their blood chemistry. It causes an increase in the production of stress-related hormones, a build-up of lactic acid, and a change in the concentrations of hemoglobin, glucose and salts. The result can be death, either immediately or later. The amount of stress a fish can tolerate is influenced by its condition and environment. For example, some freshwater fish are much less likely to survive if caught in warm water than in cool water. As stress takes time to occur and its effects are cumulative, it can be reduced by catching and releasing fish quickly and handling them as little as possible. If heavy tackle is used fish are less likely to become exhausted before they are landed and released. One of the major effects of stress is a reduction in the fish's normal resistance to infectious diseases. Fungal and bacterial infections are probably a common cause of death after release. Rough handling will increase the amount of damage done to a fish and create a greater chance of infection. As a fish's skin is particularly prone to injury, handling that causes a loss of scales and damage to the skin's mucus-producing cells should be avoided.
Successful anglers have developed refined fishing skills that enable them to catch fish. Similarly, they can also acquire skills for releasing fish alive successfully. The following guidelines may help.
Unfortunately even when fish are released with great care and skill there is still some risk of killing them. It is far better to try to catch only the right fish in the first place. You can sometimes avoid hooking undersized fish by moving to different fishing spots or by increasing the hook size. Changing rigs, baits or location may also allow you to target different species once your bag limit for one type has been reached.
Remember: fish for fun - fish for the future.