Catch and release
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Catch and release is a term given to the recreational fishing where releasing the fish (catch) is believed to be a technique of conservation. After catching the fish are released back into the water before they are totally exhausted or critically injured.
Catch and release was first introduced as a management tool in the state of Michigan, (U.S. of America) in 1952 as an effort to reduce cost of stocking hatchery-raised trout. Anglers fishing for fun rather than for food production accepted the idea of releasing the fish while fishing in no-kill zones. Conservationists have advocated catch and release practices as a way to ensure sustainability and avoid overfishing of fish stocks.
Effective catch and release methodology requires minimal handling of the fish to prevent removal of the protective slime layer. Fishermen interested in releasing their fish benefit from using barbless hooks or flattening the barb on the hook. This allows for easier hook removal with less trauma for the fish. It also has the side benefit of allowing for easier hook removal from the careless fisherman. Fishing with barbless hooks also requires more skill of the fisherman to ensure he doesn't perform long distance catch and release as fish can shake the hook far easier when there is no barb to prevent the hook from easily being dislodged.
The method is however disputed both from an ethical point of view and the conservation properties have many places shown not to be significant. Both catching and releasing fish may cause pain for the fish. Painful treatment is however regarded as more acceptable while producing necessary food than when this is a leisure activity. Because of these considerations the catch and release method is illegal in Norway.
The effects this has on stock conservation depend on the biological characteristics of the species, selection pattern applied, possible infections, transmitting of diseases, predators, etc, and have to be evaluated individually in each case.