searun
Well-Known Member
I think there is still much more to be learned through the next phase of planned research. For example, next research planned is to take the best practices and put them to the test to really identify the best of the best. That will help us assess the true benefit of all these best practices. Don't lose sight of the UBC study design which was to intentionally test various practices (some were bad) to determine what is good and bad. Beyond testing best practices, there is also further ongoing research to see what can be learned from assessing the aerobic stressors fish encounter with various tackle - including the response to use of ln-line flashers.
Reviewing the current study design, there is almost no real difference in long-term holding mortality rates between in-line and dummy flashers - see the attached pic. So I think we really need to step back and review all the available science in totality once it is complete, to identify those best practices that deliver the most benefit in reducing FRIM rather than tossing every idea at the problem. I'm not suggesting the concept of in-line flashers isn't worthy of consideration - rather, the initial results haven't yet convinced me this best practice floats to the surface as one we really need to get fired up about implementing. I see way more early evidence in the merits of banning use of landing nets on all fish that are being released - and that includes the practice of using the landing net to hold a fish so you can measure it for a slot limit.
Coincidentally, I had some time on my hands this morning so reviewed a number of fishing shows to look at fish they netted and released.
Almost without exception every fish had fin damage from being netted. I'm not attempting to lay blame on people, just pointing out that we now have good science that clearly demonstrates that certain practices we all thought were really good, are in fact, not so good. Banning landing nets for released fish is an easy change to implement, and big potential benefit for sustainability. I think our approach should be to implement the low hanging fruit first, and assess the others later as we gain more scientific evidence.
Reviewing the current study design, there is almost no real difference in long-term holding mortality rates between in-line and dummy flashers - see the attached pic. So I think we really need to step back and review all the available science in totality once it is complete, to identify those best practices that deliver the most benefit in reducing FRIM rather than tossing every idea at the problem. I'm not suggesting the concept of in-line flashers isn't worthy of consideration - rather, the initial results haven't yet convinced me this best practice floats to the surface as one we really need to get fired up about implementing. I see way more early evidence in the merits of banning use of landing nets on all fish that are being released - and that includes the practice of using the landing net to hold a fish so you can measure it for a slot limit.
Coincidentally, I had some time on my hands this morning so reviewed a number of fishing shows to look at fish they netted and released.
Almost without exception every fish had fin damage from being netted. I'm not attempting to lay blame on people, just pointing out that we now have good science that clearly demonstrates that certain practices we all thought were really good, are in fact, not so good. Banning landing nets for released fish is an easy change to implement, and big potential benefit for sustainability. I think our approach should be to implement the low hanging fruit first, and assess the others later as we gain more scientific evidence.
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