Editing Catch and release

{{Short description|Method of Fishing used for environmental or conservation reasons}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Catch-and-release.jpg|thumb|Two anglers releasing the [[common carp]] they caught]]
[[File:Catch and release salmon.jpg|thumb|A rod-caught [[Atlantic salmon]] being released on the [[Little Gruinard]] in [[Wester Ross]], [[Scotland]]]]
[[File:No Barbs - panoramio.jpg|thumb|"No Barbs" sign on [[Ribnik River]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]]]

'''Catch and release''' is a practice within [[recreational fishing]] where after capture the fish is [[Fish hook|unhooked]] and returned live to the water. Originally adopted in the United Kingdom by [[Coarse fishing|coarse fishermen]] to [[Overfishing|preserve fish populations]], it has since become a widely used technique to permit people to fish recreationally while ensuring [[sustainability]] in the face of growing human populations, mounting ecological pressure, increasingly effective fishing tackle and techniques, inadequate fishing regulations and enforcement, and habitat degradation.

Between 18-20% of fish released die from injuries and stress, although the rate varies by species. Among those that survive, their injuries may significantly reduce their ability to feed and grow. During tournaments, inadequate holding and weighing procedures may further increase mortality. With deep sea fishing in particular, fish are typically unable to adjust their physiology to the [[Barotrauma|sudden pressure change]]. Scientific and philosophical debates over whether fish feel pain in a way similar to humans are unresolved. In the 21st century, there is a greater emphasis on developing techniques which increase the likelihood that released fish will survive, such as using [[Fish hook#Points and barbs|barbless hooks]]. Catch and release is banned in Switzerland in Germany, while Canada requires barbless hooks in some cases.

==History==
[[File:Catch and Release sign Ireland multiple languages.jpg|thumb|Multilingual catch and release sign in Ireland]]
In the United Kingdom, catch and release has been performed for more than a century by [[coarse fishing|coarse fishermen]] in order to prevent target species from disappearing in heavily [[Fishing|fished]] waters. Since the latter part of the 20th century, many [[Atlantic Salmon|salmon]] and [[Brown trout|sea trout]] rivers have been converted to complete or partial catch and release. In Scotland, the [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]] operates a full catch and release policy for salmon, grilse and sea trout.<ref>Dee Conservation Code 2022 (riverdee.org.uk)</ref>

In the United States, catch and release was first introduced as a management tool in the state of [[Michigan]] in 1952 as an effort to reduce the cost of [[fish stocking|stocking]] [[hatchery]]-raised trout. [[Angling|Anglers fishing]] for fun rather than for food accepted the idea of releasing the fish while fishing in "no-kill" zones. [[conservation movement|Conservationist]]s have advocated catch and release as a way to ensure [[sustainability]] and to avoid [[overfishing]] of [[fish stocks]]. [[Lee Wulff]], a New York-based [[fly fishing|fly]] angler, author and film maker, promoted catch and release as early as 1936 with the phrase "Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://owaa.org/owaa-legends/a-hero-of-mine-remembering-lee-wulff/ |title=A Hero of Mine: Remembering Lee Wulff |author=Giudice, Gary |publisher=Outdoor Writers Association of America |access-date=2014-11-15}}</ref> [[Don Martinez]] a [[West Yellowstone, Montana]], fly shop owner, promoted catch and release in his 1930–40s newsletters sent to Eastern anglers.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Grant, George |author-link=George F. Grant |title=Don Martinez-Western Dry Fly Master |journal=American Fly Fisher |volume=9 |number=2 |date=Spring 1982 |access-date=2014-11-15 |url=http://www.amff.com/assets/images/archived-journals/1982-Vol09-No2web.pdf |pages=9–14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021150/http://www.amff.com/assets/images/archived-journals/1982-Vol09-No2web.pdf |archive-date=2014-11-29 }}</ref>

In Australia, catch and release caught on slowly, with some pioneers practicing it in the 1960s, and the practice slowly became more widespread in the 1970s and 1980s. Catch and release is now widely used to conserve—and indeed is critical in conserving—vulnerable fish species like the large, long lived native freshwater [[Murray Cod]] and the prized, slowly growing, heavily fished [[Australian bass]], heavily fished coastal species like [[Dusky Flathead]] and prized gamefish like [[striped marlin]].{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In Ireland, catch and release has been used as a conservation tool for Atlantic salmon and sea trout fisheries since 2003. A number of fisheries now have mandatory catch and release regulations.<ref>[http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/CatchandRelease.htm Catch and Release for Atlantic Salmon] Central Fisheries Board Website</ref> Catch and release for coarse fish has been used by sport anglers for as long as these species have been fished for on this island. However catch and release for Atlantic salmon has required a huge turn about in how many anglers viewed the salmon angling resource. To encourage anglers to practice catch and release in all fisheries a number of government led incentives have been implemented.<ref>[http://www.cfb.ie/pr/catchandrelease07.htm Catch and Release Incentive Scheme] Central Fisheries Board Website</ref>

In Canada, catch and release is mandatory for some species. Canada also requires in some cases the use of barbless [[Fish hook|hooks]] to facilitate release and minimize injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In Switzerland and Germany, catch and release fishing is considered inhumane and is now banned.<ref>[https://archive.today/20110716065341/http://www.ussportsmen.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=929&srcid=55&srctid=1&e Animal Rights Law Passed in Switzerland – Catch and Release Fishing Banned]</ref> In Germany, the ''Animal Welfare Act'' states that ''"no-one may cause an animal pain, suffering or harm without good reason"''.<ref>[https://www.animallaw.info/statute/germany-cruelty-german-animal-welfare-act German Animal Welfare Act]</ref> This leaves no legal basis for catch and release due to its argued inherent lack of "good reason", and thus personal fishing is solely allowed for immediate food consumption. Additionally, it is against the law to release fish back into the water if they are above minimum size requirements and are not a [[protected species]] or in [[closed season]].

In 2011, the [[National Park Service]] in [[Yellowstone National Park]] began reversing decades of regulation that promoted catch and release and other techniques that protected fish populations. In the name of native fish conservation, they began mandatory kill regulations on [[rainbow trout|rainbow]] and [[brook trout]] in the [[Lamar River]] drainage and encouraged unlimited taking and disposal of non-native species, including [[brown trout]] in some park waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/reluctant-anglers-drafted-in-war-on-fish |title=Reluctant anglers drafted in war on fish |publisher=Fox News |access-date=January 26, 2016|date=2015-03-25}}</ref><ref name=YNPFishReg>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/15FishReg_revisionTW.pdf |title=2015 Yellowstone National Park Fishing Regulations |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2014-04-13}}</ref>

==Techniques==
[[File:Fishhook.jpg|frame|[[Fish hook]]]]
[[File:Professor with pinched barb.JPG|thumb|Professor with pinched barb]]

Into the 21st century, there has been an emphasis on the development and refinement of science-based practices to increase the likelihood that released fish will survive (e.g., see research by [[Steven J. Cooke]]). That work led to the development of the UN FAO Technical Guidelines for Recreational Fisheries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fao.org/3/i2708e/i2708e00.pdf|title=FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries
|website=fao.org|access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> 

Effective catch and release fishing techniques avoid excessive fish fighting and handling times by using sufficiently strong tackle and barbless hooks, avoid damage to fish skin, scale and slime layers from nets, dry hands and dry, hot or rough surfaces (that leave fish vulnerable to oomycete skin infections), and avoid damage to jaw ligaments and vertebrae by suspending fish from jaws or gills for weighing or handling. If a net must be used it is important that it is pre-wetted and is not abrasive to the fish (such as a rubber coated net or very dense lightweight mesh), because fish can easily damage themselves in a normal net while thrashing.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} The use of barbless hooks is an important aspect of catch and release; barbless hooks reduce injury and handling time, increasing survival. Frequently, fish caught on barbless hooks can be released without being removed from the water, and the hook(s) effortlessly slipped out with a single flick of the pliers or leader. Barbless hooks can be purchased from several major manufacturers or can be created from a standard hook by crushing the barb(s) flat with needle-nosed pliers. Some anglers avoid barbless hooks because of the belief that too many fish will escape. Concentrating on keeping the line tight at all times while fighting fish, equipping lures that do not have them with split rings, and using recurved point or "Triple Grip" style hooks on lures, will keep catch rates with barbless hooks as high as those achieved with barbed hooks.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

One study looking at [[brook trout]] found that barbless hooks had no statistically significant effect on mortality rates when fish were hooked in the mouth, but observed that they did reduce mortalities compared to barbed hooks if fish were hooked deeper.<ref name="afsjournals.org">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1577/M02-172.1| title = Effect of Hook Type on Mortality, Trauma, and Capture Efficiency of Wild, Stream-Resident Trout Caught by Active Baitfishing| journal = North American Journal of Fisheries Management| volume = 24| issue = 2| pages = 617| year = 2004| last1 = Dubois | first1 = R. B. | last2 = Kuklinski | first2 = K. E. | bibcode = 2004NAJFM..24..617D}}</ref> The study also suggested bait fishing does not have a significantly higher mortality when utilized in an active style, rather than a passive manner that allows the fish to swallow the bait.<ref name="afsjournals.org"/>

The effects of catch and release vary from species to species. A study of fish caught in shallow water on the Great Barrier Reef showed high survival rates (97%+),<ref>[http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/126/paper/MF96108.htm Australian shallow reef fish study]</ref> for released fish if handled correctly and particularly if caught on artificial baits such as lures. Fish caught on lures are usually hooked cleanly in the mouth, minimizing injury and aiding release. Other studies have shown somewhat lower survival rates for fish gut-hooked on bait if the line is cut and the fish is released without trying to remove the hook.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

==Debate over pain in released fish==
{{See also|Pain in fish}}
[[File:Pesca no kill stura di lanzo.jpg|thumb|Catch and release angling area on the [[Stura di Lanzo]] in Italy]]
Opponents of catch and release argue that fish are highly evolved [[vertebrates]] that share many of the same neurological structures that in humans are associated with [[Nociceptor|pain perception]]. They cite studies showing that, neurologically, fish are quite similar to [[higher vertebrates]] and that blood chemistry reveals that hormones and blood metabolites associated with stress are quite high in fish struggling against hook and line. The idea that fish do not feel pain in their mouths has been studied at the [[University of Edinburgh]] and the [[Roslin Institute]] by injecting bee venom and acetic acid into the lips of rainbow trout; the fish responded by rubbing their lips along the sides and floors of their tanks in an effort to relieve themselves of the sensation.<ref>[http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-30-2003-39769.asp Vantressa Brown, "Fish Feel Pain, British Researchers Say," Agence France-Presse, 1 May 2003] {{webarchive|url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091014095008/http%3A//www.buzzle.com/editorials/4%2D30%2D2003%2D39769.asp |date=14 October 2009 }}</ref>

Lead researcher Lynne Sneddon wrote, "Our research demonstrates nociception and suggests that noxious stimulation in the rainbow trout has adverse behavioral and physiological effects. This fulfills the criteria for animal pain." A 2014 paper provides a critique of existing studies that purport to demonstrate that fish feel pain.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1111/faf.12010|title = Can fish really feel pain?| journal=Fish and Fisheries| volume=15| pages=97–133|year = 2014|last1 = Rose|first1 = J. D.| last2=Arlinghaus| first2=R.| last3=Cooke| first3=S. J.| last4=Diggles| first4=B. K.| last5=Sawynok| first5=W.| last6=Stevens| first6=E. D.|author-link7=Clive Wynne| last7=Wynne| first7=C D L.| issue=1 | bibcode=2014AqFF...15...97R }}</ref> James D. Rose of the [[University of Wyoming]] argues this may demonstrate a chemical sensitivity rather than pain and that the evidence for pain sensation in fish is ambiguous.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/04/30/fish.fear/index.html "Anglers carp at 'fish pain' theory,", CNN, April 30, 2003]</ref><ref name="RoseCritique">Rose, J.D. (2003) [http://about-flyfishing.com/library/weekly/JamesRose.pdf A Critique of the paper: "Do fish have nociceptors: Evidence for the evolution of a vertebrate sensory system"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119035004/http://www.about-flyfishing.com/library/weekly/JamesRose.pdf |date=2008-11-19 }} In: Information Resources on Fish Welfare 1970-2003, Animal Welfare
Information Resources No. 20. H. E. Erickson, Ed., U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD. pp. 49–51</ref>

== Injury and mortality in released fish ==
A metastudy in 2005 found that the average catch and release mortality rate was 18%, but varied greatly by species.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bartholomew|first1=Aaron|last2=Bohnsack|first2=James A.|date=2005-02-01|title=A Review of Catch-and-Release Angling Mortality with Implications for No-take Reserves|journal=Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|pages=129–154|doi=10.1007/s11160-005-2175-1|bibcode=2005RFBF...15..129B |s2cid=2323279 |issn=1573-5184}}</ref> During an [[Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation]] study, up to 43 percent of fish released after being caught died within six days as a result of inadequate holding and weigh in procedures during tournaments.<ref>Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "[http://www.nesportsman.com/articles/catch_release_studies/oklahoma_largemouth.html Evaluation of Procedures to Reduce Delayed Mortality of Black Bass Following Summer Tournaments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222243/http://www.nesportsman.com/articles/catch_release_studies/oklahoma_largemouth.html |date=2020-11-11 }}." Federal Aid Grant No. F-50-R, Fish Research for Oklahoma Waters, Project No. 8, March 1, 1996 through February 28, 1997</ref> More recent studies reported in Montana estimate that approximately 20% of released trout die from injuries or stress and for those that do not die, their injuries may significantly reduce their ability to feed and grow.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Like a Fish Out of Water |author=Drews, Debby |publisher=Outside Bozeman |date=Spring 2016 |pages=70–74 |volume=17 |number=1 |url=http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/spring-2016/fish-out-water |access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>

Emerging research suggests catch and release does not work very well with fish caught when deep sea fishing. Most deep sea fish species suffer from the sudden pressure change when wound to the surface from great depths; these species cannot adjust their body's physiology quickly enough to follow the pressure change. The result is called "[[barotrauma]]". Fish with barotrauma will have their enormously swollen swim-bladder protruding from their mouth, bulging eyeballs, and often sustain other, more subtle but still very serious injuries. Upon release, fish with barotrauma will be unable to swim or dive due to the swollen swim-bladder. The common practice has been to deflate the swim bladder by pricking it with a thin sharp object before attempting to release the fish. Emerging research also indicates both barotrauma and the practice of deflating the swimbladder are both highly damaging to fish, and that survival rates of caught-and-released deep-sea fish are extremely low.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071014011437/http://www.abc.net.au/nt/stories/s1996078.htm 100% of Jew fish landed from water 15 to 20 meters deep have life-threatening injuries. Official Barotrauma results.]</ref> Barotrauma requires that fish be caught at least {{cvt|30|–|50|ft|m|order=flip|round=5}} below the surface. Many surface caught fish, such as billfish, and all fish caught from shore do not meet this criterion and thus do not suffer barotrauma.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

== Similar hunting practices ==
A similar practice, called "tree and free", uses [[hunting dogs]] to chase a bear or [[mountain lion]] up a tree, and then letting the predator escape.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Mountain Lion Attacked My Nephews. What Could Have Stopped It? |work=The New York Times |date=31 December 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/magazine/mountain-lion-attack.html |last1=Brooks |first1=Malcolm }}</ref> [[Treeing]] large predators in such a manner can encourage them to stay away from humans through fear.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scaring cougars for science: Research in northeast Washington looks at effectiveness, long term impacts of hazing {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/mar/05/can-cougars-change-research-in-northeast-washingto/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.spokesman.com|date=5 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Flatt |first=Courtney |date=11 March 2021 |title=WA effort on training hounds to haze cougars worries conservationists {{!}} Cascade PBS |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/environment/2021/03/wa-effort-training-hounds-haze-cougars-worries-conservationists |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.cascadepbs.org |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Fishing tournament]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://browntrout.info/brown-trout-tips-2-keep-your-fish-alive/ brown trout catch and release tips] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806050244/http://browntrout.info/brown-trout-tips-2-keep-your-fish-alive/ |date=2013-08-06 }}-link from browntrout.info  
*[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070601101117.htm Only Some Catch And Release Methods Let The Fish Live] ''ScienceDaily'', 4 June 2007.

{{angling topics}}
{{fisheries and fishing}}

[[Category:Recreational fishing]]
[[Category:Fishing techniques and methods]]