Most research on catch-and-release (C&R) in recreational fishing has been conducted from a disciplinary angle focusing on the biological sciences and the study of hooking mortality after release. This hampers understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of C&R. In the present synopsis, we develop an integrative perspective on C&R by drawing on historical, philosophical, socio-psychological, biological, and managerial insights and perspectives. Such a perspective is helpful for a variety of reasons, such as 1) improving the science supporting successful fisheries management and conservation, 2) facilitating dialogue between managers, anglers, and other stakeholders, 3) minimizing conflict potentials, and 4) paving the path toward sustainable recreational fisheries management. The present work highlights the array of cultural, institutional, psychological, and biological factors and dimensions involved in C&R. Progress toward successful treatment of C&R might be enhanced by acknowledging the complex...

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Understanding the Complexity of Catch-and-Release in Recreational Fishing: An Integrative Synthesis of Global Knowledge from Historical, Ethical, Social, and Biological Perspectives

Length‐limit regulations and promotion of catch‐and‐release fishing have become increasingly important management approaches for recreational fisheries. We review‐studies on catch‐and‐release (hooking) mortality gathered from the existing fisheries literature and from a survey of fisheries management agencies in all 50 states, the U.S. government, all Canadian provinces, and selected academic and research institutions. We identified hooking mortality estimates for 32 taxa. Most studies dealt with salmonids, centrarchids (especially black basses, Micropterus spp.), and percids (especially walleye, Stizostedion vitreum). Within and among species, differences in percent mortality were reported in association with bait type (artificial vs. natural), hook type (number of hooks, hook size, and barbs), season/ temperature, water depth (depressurization), anatomical location of hook wound, and individual size. Although most hooking mortalities occur within 24 h, the use of initial plus delayed mortality ...

Hooking mortality: A review for recreational fisheries

Catch-and-release recreational angling has become very popular as a conservation strategy and as a fisheries management tool for a diverse array of fishes. Implicit in catch-and-release angling strategies is the assumption that fish experience low mortality and minimal sub-lethal effects. Despite the importance of this premise, research on this topic has focused on several popular North American sportfish, with negligible efforts directed towards understanding catch-and-release angling effects on alternative fish species. Here, we summarise the existing literature to develop five general trends that could be adopted for species for which no data are currently available: (1) minimise angling duration, (2) minimise air exposure, (3) avoid angling during extremes in water temperature, (4) use barbless hooks and artificial lures/flies, and (5) refrain from angling fish during the reproductive period. These generalities provide some level of protection to all species, but do have limitations. Therefore, we argue that a goal of conservation science and fisheries management should be the creation of species-specific guidelines for catch-and-release. These guidelines would take into account the inter-specific diversity of fishes and variation in fishing techniques. As recreational angling continues to grow in popularity, expanding to many developing countries, and targeting alternative species, it is important that reasonable data appropriate for specific fish and fisheries are available. The sustainable use and conservation of recreational fishery resources will depend upon the development and dissemination of effective catch-and-release angling strategies based upon sound science to stakeholders around the world.

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Do we need species-specific guidelines for catch-and- release recreational angling to effectively conserve diverse fishery resources?

International agreements, environmental laws, resource management agencies, and environmental nongovernmental organizations all establish objectives that define what they hope to accomplish. Unfortunately, quantitative objectives in conservation are typically set without consistency and scientific rigor. As a result, conservationists are failing to provide credible answers to the question “How much is enough?” This is a serious problem because objectives profoundly shape where and how limited conservation resources are spent, and help to create a shared vision for the future. In this article we develop guidelines to help steer conservation biologists and practitioners through the process of objective setting. We provide three case studies to highlight the practical challenges of objective setting in different social, political, and legal contexts. We also identify crucial gaps in our science, including limited knowledge of species distributions and of large-scale, long-term ecosystem dynamics, th...

https://bioone.org/journals/BioScience/volume-55/issue-10/0006-3568(2005)055[0835:HMIETR]2.0.CO;2/How-Much-Is-Enough-The-Recurrent-Problem-of-Setting-Measurable/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0835:HMIETR]2.0.CO;2.pdf

How Much Is Enough? The Recurrent Problem of Setting Measurable Objectives in Conservation

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which were air exposed for 60 s after exhaustive exercise initially had a much larger extracellular acidosis than trout which were only exercised. In both groups, however, plasma pH returned to normal by 4 h. Blood lactate concentrations were also greater in the air-exposed fish and continued to increase throughout the experiment. During air exposure, there was retention of carbon dioxide in the blood, and oxygen tension (Po2) and hemoglobin:oxygen carriage (Hb:O2) both fell by over 80%. After 30 min of recovery, however, blood gases resembled those in fish which were only exercised. Finally, survival after 12 h was 10% in control fish and 88% in the exercised fish but fell to 62 and 28% in fish which were air exposed for 30 and 60 s, respectively, after exercise. These results indicate that the brief period of air exposure which occurs in many "catch and release" fisheries is a significant additional stress which may ultimately influence whether a released fish survives.

Physiological Effects of Brief Air Exposure in Exhaustively Exercised Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Implications for "Catch and Release" Fisheries

This paper provides a synopsis of the 1987 symposium “Catch-and-Release Fishing– A Decade of Experience,” gives a brief history of the catch-and-release concept, and presents related research needs. Twenty-three presenters provided current information concerning catch and release of a variety of freshwater and marine sport fish. Catch-and-release fishing was first tried in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1954. Today, most states and provinces in North America have catch-and-release programs on some waters. Catch-and-release regulations must be selectively applied; productivity of the environment and longevity of the fish are important considerations and strict compliance with special regulations by anglers is necessary for success. Anglers will accept these regulations when professionals present sound biological evidence to demonstrate the need. An increased use of catch-and-release regulations was reported in nontrout fisheries, especially those for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoid...

Symposium Review: Catch-and-Release Fishing, a Decade of Experience

Habitat utilization curves developed for fry and juveniles of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in Big Creek, a small stream of moderate to high gradient in California, were compared with three standard habitat utilization curves. Comparisons were made of the amount of weighted usable area generated by the curves from the instream flow incremental methodology computer program. The narrower range of usable habitat in Big Creek resulted in utilization curves with ranges narrower than those of the standard utilization curves and with much less weighted usable area for fry and juvenile steelhead at all flows above 3.0 ft3/S. Stream width, depth, flow, gradient, substrate particle size, pool : riffle ratio, seasonal hydrography, and other habitat characteristics should be compared before habitat utilization curves from one stream are applied to another.

Roger A. Barnhart

Papers

Symposium Review: Catch-and-Release Fishing, a Decade of Experience

Habitat Criteria for Rearing Steelhead: A Comparison of Site-Specific and Standard Curves for Use in the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology