Legasea fish handling practices. Thoughts?

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As summer rolls in, our FishCare programme reminds us of "best practice" techniques for recreational fishers such as reducing wastage and maximising the survival rates of released fish.

If you’re fishing deeper than 15 metres, watch out for barotrauma – a condition that affects the swim bladder when brought up from the depths. To avoid unnecessary harm, fish caught deeper than 15 metres shouldn’t be released unless absolutely necessary. Even if they appear okay, internal damage is still risky when bringing them up too quickly and from too deep.

Handle fish gently to improve their chances of survival. Wet your hands before touching them to protect their skin, and try to keep them in the water whenever possible. If handling is unavoidable, return them quickly and safely to minimise stress. Rubber nets are ideal for handling fish as they protect their slime layer, minimise injuries, reduce stress, and prevent snagging - supporting better fish survival rates after release.

For photos, keep it quick and close to the water. A handy tip – hold your breath while snapping the shot. If you need to breathe, they probably do too.

Share what you know with your mates – it’s not just about today’s catch but the future of our fish and marine ecosystems. Together, we can fish smarter and help protect our oceans for future generations.

Check out www.fishcare.co.nz for more tips and tricks!


The part about not releasing fish that come from deeper than 15 meters might spark some debate but it does bring up an interesting point.
If you follow any Australian fishing media you come to revise how far ahead of us Australia is when it comes to fisheries research, and one thing that has been found in there research is snapper are a species that does not release well. It is a different climate but it's the same fish and one wonders if mortality rate us the same here.

Perhaps the "catch fish all day but only keep a couple for
a feed" idea that is heavily featured on fishing shows is not best for the fish, could be the bloke that catches his 7 snapper limit and goes home is actually killing less fish than the catch and release bloke.

Another thing I've thought of after reading that was with other popular sport fish ie trout, marlin, it has always been said if you want to let the fish go don't mess about with it, land it as fast as possible and send it on its way.
Why would that not apply to other fish like snapper? The current trend is to use as light a gear as possible for sport reasons which prolongs the fight and exhausts the fish.

What's everyone's take on this?

If you catch a cat, reel it in and play it, then let it go, is this sport?

Average standard of fish handling for catch and release is very poor in my opinion. Barotrauma for snapper is a big issue. When I catch big snapper in deep water, they hit the surface blown. Guts coming out of mouth and anus and fizzing like a bottle of bubbly. That is a dead fish whatever you do, may as well keep it. The guys that release these dead "big breeders" and then go on to kill a whole load of pannies are doing the fishery no favours at all. Catch what you need, then stop fishing.

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Originally Posted by MB

Catch what you need, then stop fishing.

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This

coming from a good mate who is very knowledgeable the common wet rag idea is a bit of a no-no in his opinion
he says would you like your doctor to re-use his gloves? if any of the fish have any conditions that could be spread using the rag

a clean wet hand is better for the fish

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Originally Posted by mikee

This

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we caught a total of 60 snapper on Tuesday
we kept 17 (mainly fish that were not going to live
the rest went back in the water with research tags fitted

The salmon and trout in canals at this time of year get hammered by the "Dad take these fooking kids away before they drive me nuts crowd". Some of the handling practices are traumatic to watch and the gratings are full of dead fish. A zero release policy would be kinder to fish!!!

I believe fish stocks would be better off if the rule was you keep (what ever species) everything you catch up until you either reach the limit, or you have had enough, and then stop fishing.

No handling of fish or trying to release well hooked ones or ones that are under "legal size"

If you don't like catching small fish perhaps move locations.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

The salmon and trout in canals at this time of year get hammered by the "Dad take these fooking kids away before they drive me nuts crowd". Some of the handling practices are traumatic to watch and the gratings are full of dead fish. A zero release policy would be kinder to fish!!!

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Salmon fishery/farm at Anatoki has signs to the effect that if you catch and release, you will be charged for funeral cost per fish. Too bloody right !

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Originally Posted by mikee

I believe fish stocks would be better off if the rule was you keep (what ever species) everything you catch up until you either reach the limit, or you have had enough, and then stop fishing.

No handling of fish or trying to release well hooked ones or ones that are under "legal size"

If you don't like catching small fish perhaps move locations.

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Sort of same deal as shooting game birds....lol

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Originally Posted by Pengy

Salmon fishery/farm at Anatoki has signs to the effect that if you catch and release, you will be charged for funeral cost per fish. Too bloody right !

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Yep and its the right policy too. Have often been there and take friends from overseas since as you know the option to catch salmon is usually the preserve of the very rich.

Keep any legal fish you catch untill you have enough or your limit and stop fishing.

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Originally Posted by witchcraft

If you catch a cat, reel it in and play it, then let it go, is this sport?

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Hell yes, great sport. My cat loves it! Even lets me know when he's had enough, usually by saying stuff this and attacking me directly and drawing scarlet the little sod.