Saltwater Trust Allocation

2008/09 - $215,600

Freshwater Trust Allocation

2008/09 - $81,900

Aim

To investigate the survival of fish that are caught and then released by recreational anglers.

Background

The National Recreational Fishing Survey estimated that millions of fish are released from recreational hook-and-line fisheries each year.

The regulation of recreational hook-and-line fisheries mostly involves legal lengths and daily bag limits. It is assumed that the majority of released fish survive. However, there is a lack of information on the survival of released fish for nearly all species, which makes it difficult to estimate the benefits of current management methods.

From the work already done overseas, it is apparent that many variables affect survival, including factors such as strenuous muscular exertion during capture, prolonged exposure to air after landing, the size of fish, the physical damage due to hooking and handling and the penetration of vital organs during gut hooking. Although the extents of these sorts of impacts are probably species-specific, many of the causes of mortalities can be addressed via minor modifications to existing gears and handling practices. This type of research work is most successful when it is done in close consultation with recreational anglers. There is a clear need for this research for key recreational species in NSW.

Sea cages anchored in the Hawkesbury River housing bream caught by anglers

A range of treatments are being investigated for a variety of saltwater species and freshwater species (including Murray cod, golden perch and Australian bass). The studies will The results of this project is assisting with the development of strategies that maximise the survival released by NSW recreational anglers, which, in the long-term, will provide benefits for the species and recreational fishers. Research completed so far has indicated that most fish released by anglers survive.

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