Fishing Liesure & Equipment

As an environmental conservation practice, catch-and-release is very popular in recreational fishing, both in fresh and saltwater. Although the debate of whether it truly benefits the fish, the fish stocks and nature has not ceased altogether and the issue remains unresolved, catch-and-release nevertheless is a concept accepted by most anglers as a viable practice to preserve fishing. Yet, detractors aver catch-and-release can be counterproductive, because many catch-and-release fishes die of their injuries, the number and ratio far greater than what is ordinarily considered.

The causes of death

Hooked fish, although released, may die mainly due to two causes: wound and stress. To hold the fish, a hook must penetrate the muscle or bone of the fish, usually in the mouth area: lip, cheek, or jaw, engendering negligible or minor damage -if at all-to the fish. Lures often hook the fish in the oral cavity. However, bait most times entices the fish to swallow the hook, particularly when there are other fish intent on snatching the morsel for themselves. In such an instance, the hook can embed itself in the gills, stomach or inner roof of the mouth towards the brain area. These three placements can cause great injury enough to kill the fish, the last being the most lethal.

When hooked, no matter the place, the fish struggles to free itself from the ‘leash’. In the process, the muscle tissues use up the blood oxygen, causing lactic acid to form and enter the bloodstream. This in turn upsets the blood’s pH balance, greatly disrupting the metabolic process so the fish may die later of poisoned blood. Fish scientists say signs of poisoning may not appear on release of the fish; it may even be frisky and lively. But the action may only be delayed, and the fish could die as late as several days after getting ‘off the hook’. It could take that long for the damage to build up to be toxic to the fish.

Another cause of death can be anatomical stress. A fish caught many fathoms down below and raised to the surface quickly may not survive the depressurization stress, similar to ‘the bends’ for humans. Bulging eyes, swim bladder in the mouth and stiff bodies are sure signs of extreme depressurization stress, which can damage the muscle tissues sufficiently to be lethal.

Finally, over-handling a fish can remove some of its protective body mucus ‘slime’, exposing the skin to invasion by bacteria and other pathogens. Holding the fish with dry hands, for instance, or using a dry net, can abrade enough mucus off the skin so it becomes the cause of fish’s death some time later, something that will not be readily apparent to the angler at the time of releasing the fish.

Catch-and-release fishing is a great way to conserve the fish stock, help preserve nature, and promote enjoyment of the pursuit by many anglers, including one’s self. However, catch-and-release when practiced incorrectly can cause unnecessary fish deaths, which can produce adverse effects than intended. Ultimately, therefore, the enjoyment of the benefits of catch-and-release rest on the action of the individual angler, taken collectively, whether he practiced it correctly or not.