UBC study: changing catch-and-release fishing practices can boost salmon survival

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agentaqua

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www.castanet.net

How changing catch-and-release fishing practices can boost salmon survival - BC News

A study has found catch-and-release sportfishing practices that leave salmon with injuries, particularly to their eyes, cause higher mortality than earlier research suggested.
www.castanet.net

"The researchers recommend that anglers use smaller hooks and avoid flashers -- a shiny type of fish attractor -- as well as treble and tandem-hook setups, all of which are linked to higher mortality."

Interesting to read this. We have been using only dummy flashers for years because it makes the fight so much more enjoyable. Now it looks like there is an important additional benefit to keep flashers off the fishing line. And this past year we basically used spoons with fairly small single barbless hooks. I think it was worthwhile because when we released oversized fish they did not appear to be significantly injured, so hopefully mortality was reduced.
 
Hardy Guy said:
This will get interesting fast. Wait for the closure requests by engos and FN.
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All Engo's are gonna see is

"Scott Hinch, who led the study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, said mortality among chinook salmon could be as high as 40 per cent, depending on environmental conditions and injuries sustained during capture and release."
 
Just a matter of time before DFO will turn these into regs - i.e. only single, small hooks and no flashers. I think it will be a done deal especially if they finally let us keep more clipped fish as part of opening up the marked selective fishery option.
 
Downrigger flashers and small single hooks I can live with. But what happens when a guided or a bunch of guys get together for an annual trip and run into a bonanza bunch of suicidal sammies ? Quit fishing ? Its hard for a guide to nudge his clients away from the fish when they are having a great day. This past year my usual partner and I hit a jackpot day on the water.After carefully releasing a number of legal sized springs, including a couple of beautiful springs that were obviously bleeding at a rapid rate from gill injuries, we switched to surface coho. After getting only 1 hatch and releasing several unmarked coho we decided it was Miller Time. No--- we were not wearing halos. It was 11am. As local fishermen we were alright with pulling the gear and heading in. However, if you have paying clients or the good buds that expect 1/2 day or full day on the water, It aint that easy. And how does DFO enforce any of this ?? I am interested in your guys comments.
 
It will be interesting to see what happens. Somethings may require reg changes which are not easy to do. Othe things may be easy to change. I think we all knew that DFO was using a mortality rate that was optimistic. People need to really look at what they do with a fish if they are not retaining it.

Some of the earlier coho studies showed bait caused higher mortality.

Fingers crossed that DFO does not really make it difficult.
 
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i caught a tagged fish, I couldn't believe the size of the hole they had to put in its back to fit the cable through. fish was tagged on southbank the day before and i got it at 14mile. got mailed a thank you letter and a hat.
 
I would agree with getting rid of tandem rigs. That extra hook flying around caused eye injuries and other injuries if not in mouth. Causes internal damage if in the mouth. Very hard to release a fish safely and carefully beside the boat with a tandem set up. Flashers and Trebles are much less of a problem. IMO. Although trebles are not as forgiving as singles.
Could also ban knotted nets. Although you should never net a fish you intend to release. Sometimes you may net because you have to measure.
Must be some middle ground to start with before going to small single with no flasher.
 
Saltwater salmon fishing needs to become more like steelhead fishing, which is 100% catch and release. It has to be about the experience of catching and releasing great fish, which are the big springs. The genetic case for releasing bigger salmon is incontrovertible. My son and I shifted years ago to dummy flashers exclusively for springs. And we recently shifted to single hook spoons only. We do just fine in terms of catching, and releasing is easier on the fish and easier to do. We keep some of the smaller springs to eat. I sense that this approach is becoming increasingly popular and I hope it continues.
 
Saxe Point said:
Saltwater salmon fishing needs to become more like steelhead fishing, which is 100% catch and release. It has to be about the experience of catching and releasing great fish, which are the big springs. The genetic case for releasing bigger salmon is incontrovertible. My son and I shifted years ago to dummy flashers exclusively for springs. And we recently shifted to single hook spoons only. We do just fine in terms of catching, and releasing is easier on the fish and easier to do. We keep some of the smaller springs to eat. I sense that this approach is becoming increasingly popular and I hope it continues.
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I disagree here. I am a hunter/ gatherer. Fish, seafood, game, garden, mushroom gathering is where I prefer my organic food to come from. We just need to practice a respect for our resources.
 
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