Shark Fishing - Catch and Release?

With the spread of Shark Fishing Tournaments (as seen on a new reality TV show) how do people improve the odds of a Shark surviving a catch and release. I know some people just cut the leader, but that seems like it impacts on the fish's ability to hunt and opens the fish to infection by having a wound that will not heal.

Does the hook and leader rust or is the fish destined to carry around a hook and leader for ever? Is it just me or do some aspects of fishing seem pretty brutal and barbaric?

I see humans all the time with metal things in their lips, and it doesn't seem to shorten their life much.

A hook in the corner of the mouth would still leave the shark in much better shape than a gut hook would, especially after some fighting which would rip up more of the shark's insides.

I fell down a flight of stairs years ago and somehow screwed up the rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I opted for no surgery, letting nature take it's course and it took over a year before I could toss a baseball, even underhand with the right arm.

Eisboch

Tom, here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

Wayne B

Eisboch's response was spot on.

http://www.jointhealing.com/pages/shoulder/rotatorcuff.html

You have to be really careful with toothy, aggressive fish, for obvious reasons. I lift blues out of the water behind the gills and release them the same way.

If I can't get the hook out of the corner, I snip off the leader and line. Since I'm using light ferrous hooks, I'm pretty confident they'll rust out fairly quickly.

There's no doubt, however, that saltwater fish caught and released do not have the same high survival rate as, say, freshwater largemouth bass who are caught and released.

Oh, I also try to minimize the time I am fighting the fish. I use line heavier enough for the job. There's nothing in my part of the Bay that requires more than 12 or 14 pound test. I use 20 pound fluoro as a shock leader.

http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/catch-release_fs.html

See article below. After reading this article, I think I understand why I see so many dead fish floating around my lake. Catch and Release can be very tramatic on the fish. It allows a fisherman to continue to legally fish after catching many fish, but may still be devastating on the fisheries. If lake fishing using catch and release is tough on the fish, I can't imagine what the survivor rate for a large billfish or a shark is. They have to not only contend with the wound damage, but the lactic acid and "decompression" problems. The article states " barbless hooks ... for reasons still unclear, may not significantly reduce mortality, especially when used with bait."

http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/catch-release_fs.html

Why Do Hooked Fish Die? Fish that are caught and released may die for several reasons, but the two primary causes are stress and wounding. Stress results from the fish fighting after being hooked. Internally, the physical exertion causes an oxygen deficit in the tissues, forcing the muscles to function anaerobically (without oxygen). This causes lactic acid to build up in the muscle tissue, and then to diffuse into the blood. Lactic acid acts as an acid in the blood, causing the pH of the blood to drop. Even slight changes in pH can cause major disruptions of the metabolic processes, ultimately killing the fish. If the fish is quickly released, its blood pH usually returns to normal and the fish will be unaffected. Some fish, after a long tow, may appear to live once released, but the imbalance in the blood chemistry may kill them as late as three days after being caught. In most cases, the means of preventing this type of mortality is to not keep the fish in action for a long period of time, unless the intent is to keep it.

The other primary cause of mortality is wounding by the hook. Injuries caused by hooks can range from very minor to lethal. The degree of injury is dependent on the location of the hook wound. Higher mortalities will occur in fish that are hooked in the gill or stomach areas, while lower mortalities occur in fish that are hooked in the lip, jaw, or cheek areas. Baited hooks are more likely to result in a gill or stomach hooking that artificial lures. Treble hooks, for obvious reasons, will result in more puncture wounds and subsequently higher mortalities. Barbless hooks facilitate release and decrease "out-of-water" time, but for reasons yet unclear, may not significantly reduce mortality, especially when used with bait.

There are other kinds of physiological stress that can lead to higher mortalities in released fish. Fish may not be able to adjust to changes in pressure or to higher surface water temperatures. Also, when a fish is handled or comes in contact with dry surfaces, such as landing nets or dry hands, its mucous layers - commonly called slime layers - may be partially removed, presenting an opportunity for bacteria or pathogens to invade the skin.

Burping and Puncturing

When certain fish are brought up from depths greater than 40 feet too quickly, their swim bladders, which normally control buoyancy, can overinflate from rapid depressurization. Burping is a technique used on a fish with an overinflated swim bladder. The fish is massaged in the belly region in an attempt to release the excess air in the swim bladder. Puncturing involves using a needle or ice pick to poke a hole in the fish's exposed swim bladder. Both of these techniques are currently being advocated in other parts of the country. However, if the procedure is not carried out correctly, more damage than good may be done to the fish.

The success of burping depends on the species of fish. Some fish, such as largemouth bass, perch, striped bass, cod, hake, and black sea bass, do not have a connection from their gut to their swim bladder. If a fish's gut is not connected to its swim bladder, then burping is impossible. Puncturing is a very controversial technique. To date, there is no evidence that puncturing will increase a fish's chance of survival.

The best advice for releasing fish with overinflated swim bladders is to let them go as quickly as possible.

NEVER ATTEMPT TO BURP OR PUNCTURE A FISH WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT TO DO!

Catch-and-Release Guidelines

These guidelines provide basic information on the most beneficial catch-and-release methods for most small- to medium-sized freshwater and marine fish:

a.. If you plan to fish with artificial lures, such as plugs and spoons, consider replacing treble hooks with single hooks. Single hooks are quicker and easier to remove, especially when dealing with such predatory fish as bluefish and northern pike. Consider pinching the barb on your hooks, since this will make releasing the fish much easier. b.. Plan your release strategy. Decide whether to keep or release any fish prior to angling or at least before removing the fish from the water. Familiarize yourself with any regulations in effect for the species targeted, and gather any items that will facilitate handling and releasing the fish. c.. When a fish is hooked, use a steady, deliberate retrieval technique. This can reduce the amount of stress a hooked fish undergoes when pulled up from the depths too quickly, or when physically exhausted from an overly slow retrieve. d.. Once you have decided on releasing the fish, avoid netting or even removing it from the water if possible. Use needle-nosed pliers to pry the hook from the fish while it is still in the water. Fish that can be lifted by the leader - the short length of line used to attach the end of the fishing line to the lure or hook - can easily be released over the rail using a "dehooker." These devices, whether homemade or purchased, are gaining in popularity in the bluefish industry - to avoid the fish's nasty teeth - and are useful for releasing a number of other species. A dehooker may simply be a metal rod with a handle at one end and a small upturned hook at the other end. If live bait or a lure is deeply embedded in the fish's gullet, cut the leader close to the fish's mouth and let the fish keep the hook. Studies have shown that fish can get rid of the hook up to 120 days later. e.. When landing the fish, it is important to minimize out-of-water time and any fish contact with surrounding surfaces or objects. a.. Avoid using landing nets if possible. If a landing net must be used, one with a neoprene bag rather than natural twine should be used. Neoprene removes less of the fish's mucous coat.

b.. Do not use a gaff!

a.. Keep hands moistened. This helps prevent removal of the fish's natural protective mucous layer, and reduces the chance of subsequent infections in the fish's skin.

b.. Minimize handling, particularly of the gills and soft underbelly. Gently prevent the fish from battering itself on surrounding hard surfaces. Place the fish on an old piece of foam cushion and place a wet rag or gloved hand over the fish's eye. These two actions can do much to subdue even unruly tuna and bluefish.

a.. Return the fish to the water headfirst. In most cases, it is best to point the fish's head straight down and allow the fish to plunge down into the water.

Especially if I'm fishing from the boat, I always try and have a good book along for the ride. Fishing's only half the reason I'm out there. I'd rather read (or just stare at the clouds) than kill more fish than I need. This makes perfect sense to responsible hunters, who don't shoot 23 deer until they finally get one that's OK to take home.

those shark fishing tournaments are the worst of the bunch. and they 'catch to kill' about everything they hook. i watched that show ONE time. if i ever do turn on that show again, it will only be to make note of the sponsors so i can let them know.

done properly, the fish really do have a pretty decent chance at survival.

On fish like Striped Bass, I can see them having a higher mortality rate. With them use heavier line if your releasing the fish, to get them in ASAP, they will not be as tired. Also, resist the urge to bring the fish into the boat to take the hook out, do it with the fish still in the water, the less you handle them and the sooner the fight is over, the better the chances of surviving.

I dabbled with the geometry and it could be done. This might not be the most effective fish catcher but it could improve survival. If it had a strain guage you could brag/compete on how hard it pulled without unduly harming the fish. It would be a somewhat different sport but if all the fish are dead there won't be a sport at all.

i will say this - shark tourneys are an abomination and should be banned unless they are in-water tag and release similar to xtreme billfishing tourneys.

as to catch/release, it is almost never done properly hook set and retrieval is never done properly and while it sounds good c/r hurts more fish than it saves. it is really the fault of the quote pros end quote who can't properly handle a fish and dont care.

the operation went well, i am very tired and can't do much. i was tired of sitting around tv sucks and i netflix is slower than molasses. i have to do everything left handed.

maybe in a month i can return and beat everyone up. smile. even typing this is exhausting.

later

tom

Hope you heal and feel better fast.

Eisboch

Here's what her study showed:

General Catch and Release Mortality: Estimated at 2.13%. Determined in a controlled study in which 470 common snook, between 205 and 1120 mm TL (8.1" to 44.1"), were caught and held in net pens for set amount of times. All were held for at least 48 hours, 20.4% were held for 96 hours, 30.8% were held for 120 hours, 3.2% were held for 288 hours. All of the fish that died, 10 of them (or 2.13%), died within 24 hours of capture. Terminal gear type, temperature, and fish length has no significant effects on mortality. The only variable that significantly effected survival was hook location. 5 of the 10 fish died after being hooked in the mouth, 4 after being hooked in the throat or stomach, and 1 was foul-hooked. 24 snook were hooked in the throat or stomach. Of these, 12 had the hooks removed and 12 had just the leader cut and the hook left in place. The 4 snook that died from being hooked in the throat or stomach were all fish that had had the hook removed.

2.13% catch and release mortality is a very low value and over 90% of all snook that are caught are released. This all seems like a good thing (and it is), but it can become scary to a biologist or fisheries manager when you consider the numbers. For instance: In 2001, it was estimated that about 1,800,000 snook were caught statewide and about 70,000 were harvested. About 1,730,000 were released. 2.14% of that, or 36,849 snook, died from catch and release mortality. Almost 35% of total measurable mortality. Deaths from poaching and natural mortality (cold kills, red tide kills, etc) are hard to determine.

How to reduce catch and release mortality: Reduce fight time by using heavy enough gear for the size of fish being targeted. Circle hooks are never a bad thing. Crimp barbs on hooks. If possible, leave the snook in the water when de-hooking. If you have to take it out of the water, use wet hands or wet cotton gloves and support it's belly. Never hold a snook, particularly a large one, by it's lower jaw. This can damage the isthmus (group of muscles and tendons that attaches the jaw to the body and is responsible for the gulping/sucking feeding movements). When reviving, hold the snook facing into the current and only move it in a forward direction.

Sorry that was so long, but hope it helps. Let me know if I didn't explain something very well or if there are any other questions.

Alexis

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So as I said: "the vast majority of fish caught and released live to be fooled again."

I think Tom left a comma out while typing with one hand.

I think he meant to say: as to catch/release, it is almost never done properly hook set and retrieval is never done properly and while it sounds good, c/r hurts more fish than it saves.

I read this to mean, that of those fish who are caught and released more than 50% of the fish die anyway.

I have no idea if this is accurate, but what I have read the death rate among catch and release is very high, even with barbless and circle hooks.

You can't point to one study and say it's conclusive about all fish.