A different perspective to catch and release

[Meel]

recently i was at pearly beach caught 4 small streenbra of 1- 1.5kg in 4casts, released all very quickly, and all the fish was hooked in the lips so na damage could have been done. to my amazement 10 minutes later 1 of the fish washes out onto the beach 30 meters down where my mate was fishing. so I really think that when a fish gets taken out the water it gets stressed out like crazy and cannot handle it. Next time I'll release them small ones in the water, think we should all do it!

 

[zzzz]

thats such a good way of thinking..... good on ya boet

I prefer "long line" releases anyhow :headb

 

[milt]

Yep releasing in the water greatly increases chance of survival and is the way to go when possible. Another interesting ammendment to our limits in Aus is the introduction of slot limits which to my understanding is the taking of fish between eg, 30 and 70cm fish as opposed to just having a 30 cm limit.

The reason for this is, its thought some breeds of fish like humans grow as big as there genes allow them too. So by dissallowing the taking of fully grown fish, allows for more of them to breed as well thus having a greater mix in future sizes? 

Its amazing the fishing business huh? Jeez when i first started out all i wanted to do each time i fished was catch enough for a good feed now i'm interested in genes etc :headb where will it end.

 

Milt,

 

[Ajay]

Those slot limits are really the business. They have been used in the USA for over a decade now( cant remember all the species...up on the North East somwhere). Great idea especially since a lot of species arent that great eating when they get bigger anyway.