As a catch and release advocate, I’m always in favor of respecting
fishing regulations specific to the region/area that applies. Unfortunately,
I’ve personally experienced far too many situations where another fisherman, or
more appropriately: a person fishing, purposely keeps young or obviously
spawning fish, without regard for the law. Also, ignorance is by no means a
viable excuse in this matter, as numerous signs are posted at known fishing
spots, listing the appropriate standards.
Surely, the U.S. is a massive cultural melting-pot. Diligent working-class peoples from other
nations may have learned different (maritime/inland) environmental
regulations than we know domestically. Still, if someone can acquire a job, attain a
driver’s license, and maneuver throughout American society as a whole, he or she can
recognize and ABIDE BY fishing regulations that are publicly posted.
Everyone is different and there is no ONE
standard perspective, but ultimately there must be an authoritative
environmental presence that not only appears in times of need, but is idealized
in the minds of all those fishing, as a force to be reckoned with, which causes
us ALL to check ourselves. Regardless of which U.S. states I’ve fished in
(which are many), I’ve seldom personally experienced groups of organized
officials with proper funding and training who embody recognizable potential
to lead a game-changing, innovative mission of fisheries preservation.
We need to realize that
we're all playing catch-up when it comes to fish population management
worldwide. It is an important issue that can only succeed if people begin to
take personal responsibility. Ask yourself this: regardless of species or
region-do you think it's EVER the case that on a Tuesday, there are more fish
in existence than there were on Monday? Of course not. Therefore, it is a harsh
reality that must be addressed. Otherwise, your great grandchildren will have
to go fishing at the local virtual reality arcade.
I always wondered about catch and release. If you catch fish, isn't there bleeding or damage of some sort? What good is releasing? Please educate me on this one.
ReplyDeleteHello, Susan. Thanks for asking. The "bleeding" and "damage" you mentioned is unfortunately all too common. They are the results of what my uncle refers to as "Barbarian Fishing." The key element is the type of hooks that are used, whether they are part of a lure or simply tied to the line with bait applied. Typically, store-bought fishing hooks and lures are produced with what are called barbs. A barb is a sharp angled point located just below the hook tip, designed to ‘lock’ the hook into the flesh of the fish, once they’ve bitten onto it. Often times, the fish with totally engulf the lure or bait, which lodges the hook(s) deep in their throat. The deeper the hook – the more difficult and invasive the process of removal and thus, the more “bleeding” and “damage” that may result. Many anglers, including my father and myself, employ barbless hooks. They are minimally invasive, very easy to remove and rarely result in injury to the fish. The downside is that barbless hooks make it much more difficult to land the fish, as they are not ‘locked’ into the flesh and may be spit-out easily. However, this creates an added challenge on behalf of the fisherman to feel and anticipate the movement of the fish, keep the proper (and constantly changing) amount of tension on the line, and accurately angle to rod tip while reeling. In addition to fish health, I find barbless hook fishing more rewarding because it is more challenging. I hope this information helps. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI don't know if I'd be able to tell a pregnant fish from a non-pregnant fish. Certainly fishermen should respect the "Length" requirements for areas where they fish, though. Let the young fish reproduce!
ReplyDeleteI like your enthusiasm, Janet. I totally hear you about pregnant fish recognition. I’ve updated the post to refer to spawning. For instance, during the spawn, male largemouth bass move into the shallows and select a good ‘bedding’ or ‘nesting’ spot. They clear the area by fanning their tails, then indenting the center with their snout. When a female approaches, the male corals her into his nest, where she lays her eggs which he then fertilizes. Until the eggs hatch, which can take a few days, the male vigilantly guards the nest and will not feed. Unfortunately, because the nests exist within the shallows, they are easily spotted from shore. When a really big male is spotted, certain people can’t resist but throw an oversized hook on their line and attempt to snag or ‘foul hook’ the fish. This results in a fish being ‘caught’ in an unsportsmanlike manner, a dead fish, and an unprotected nest of eggs that will likely by invaded and eaten by other species. I do not believe ignorance is a viable excuse in these situations, as one doesn’t need to be an expert to figure out why the bass are so close to shore, refusing to eat, and vigilantly protecting a sandy section of circular pond/lake floor. Thanks for your comment!
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