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| | | | | | Catch and Release: Plan Before Your Line Gets Wet
From the Florida Sea Grant |
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| ** | Size, weight, bag and seasonal limits are a central theme in restoring almost every fishery, from snook and tarpon to red snapper and grouper. The catch - pun intended - is that fish don't always know they're too small or out of season before they hit a tempting treat on a hook. Depending on the fishery, studies at the Florida Marine Research Institute indicate that anywhere from 2 to 70% of fish released die shortly afterward, from injuries, stress or predators who take advantage of its exhausted state. | |
Even a small mortality rate adds up quickly. Only about 2.13% of snook die after having been released, but that works out to about 54,300 fish statewide and 35% of total harvest. Mortality rates are much higher for snapper, grouper and other reef fish, ranging up to 70% on commercial boats that typically fish in deeper water than recreational anglers.
Releasing a fish - after it has swallowed a hook, been dragged up from the depths or survived a long fight on underweight tackle - is most likely to be successful when anglers plan for release even before their lines get wet.
. Using circle hooks. You're more likely to catch a fish and less likely to gut-hook it. Originally developed for commercial long line fishermen, circle hooks require a different technique to hook the fish but up to 90% are jaw-hooked, which makes it easier and faster to de-hook and get it back in the water quickly.
. Fishing with artificial bait also limits the likelihood of gut-hooking fish. Bend down barbs on artificial bait with treble hooks to cause less damage.
. Use a specially designed release tool to de-hook fish, and have needle-nose pliers or forceps nearby for gut-hooked fish. If you can't see the hook, cut as much leader as you can without removing the fish from the water. FWRI studies show that prolonged attempts to remove hooks are more likely to kill the fish than cutting the leader and releasing it with the hook intact.
. Leaving the fish in the water is always the best choice, cradle it gently and photograph it without bringing it aboard. Never handle a fish by its gills or eyes, and don't hold large fish vertically for photographs.
. Minimize stress by handling it as little as possible and avoid removing the slime that protects a fish from bacterial infections. (Using dehookers usually makes touching the fish unnecessary). To keep a fish still, cover its eyes with a wet towel.
. To release~ hold gently headfirst in the current until it swims away. Fish exhausted from a long fight may be revived by moving them forward so water flows over their gills but make sure their heads stay underwater.
. Reef fish may require special handling, particularly grouper which have swim bladders that help control their buoyancy but may exp~d when they are brought quickly to the surface. Swim bladders may rupture - resulting in the fish's stomach being pushed out of its mouth - or an expanded bladder may make it difficult for the fish to -return to the bottom before a predator finds it. A venting tool can be used to deflate the swim bladder and allow gasses to escape. Venting tools and instructions are available from Florida Sea Grant Extension Programs, visit www.flseagrant.org for more information, or call my office.
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