Catch-and-release fishing promotes killing more salmon

In 1984 DFO introduced another way to kill salmon — catch and release. This new breed of fisherman mainly catches and releases salmon. They represent the minority of the fishermen on the river, but have added new major pressure on our salmon stocks. They released over 37,000 salmon in 2016; more salmon than were caught.

The catch-and-release fisherman measures success by the size and number of fish they release; whereas the retention fisherman measures success by enjoying a salmon with family and friends.

Catch-and-release fishermen are well funded by outside business interests who prefer this style of fishing. They help build camps in remote areas and seek out large trophy fish for magazine covers or souvenir pictures. They sincerely believe they are not killing any fish. Simply false!

Catch-and-release fishermen do kill fish. How many? We don’t know. Some studies estimate mortality of salmon due to hook and release range as high as 80 per cent.

Why? There are many factors that affect salmon mortality when you catch and release them.

There is general agreement that improperly handled salmon and warmer water temperatures are the two main factors that likely cause fish to die (DFO 1998).

The time spent playing the fish is critical. If a salmon is played to exhaustion, the mortality rate increases to 90 per cent. A salmon hooked in the tongue or who has swallowed the hook will take longer to release. Accidents occurring during the playing of the salmon, such as the line wrapping around a rock, kills the fish. A salmon taken out of water for more than 60 seconds for pictures causes mortality rates up to 70 per cent.

DFO Science (1998) recommended, “Anglers should refrain from the practice of catch-and-release fishing when water temperatures reach 18 C.” Mortality rises sharply above 18 C. Water temperatures in most Newfoundland rivers are above 18 C from June through August.

Releasing a salmon during its acclimatization process to fresh water reduces its chance of survival. Released salmon are also prone to predation, lessening their chance of survival. The salmon may be alive after the release, but dies several months later.

These factors are all cumulative.

For example, one study showed that salmon exercised to exhaustion in soft, cold water of 15 C suffered a 32 per cent mortality rate (DFO Science 1998). Other factors such as psychological, age, sex of fish, and time of day released and water levels have not been studied.

You cannot control all these factors when you fish. Therefore, the real damage done to the salmon stocks by catch and release is unknown.

Catch-and-release fisherman have added kill capacity.

Why? Because they can retain salmon and continue to hook and release more salmon.

Assuming a conservative kill rate of 25 per cent, one salmon is killed for every four released. Under current regulations, one salmon can be killed for every four released, every day spent on the river for the duration of the season.

Applying this mortality rate to the 2016 season means that over 9,000 salmon were killed and wasted due to catch and release.

Why? For pleasure? Should we continue this practice?

DFO cannot enforce current catch-and-release regulations. Most of these fishermen are in remote areas away from the watchful eyes of the average fisherman or law enforcement officials.

DFO management needs to admit that catch and release is a flawed and unenforceable strategy as a salmon conservation measure. Most Newfoundlanders have rightfully not adopted it over these past 32 years. It has deeply divided salmon fishermen and has now forced most of them off the river.

If salmon stocks can support fishing this year, there must be equality of rules for all fishermen.

The total kill rate for both groups must be the same.

Assuming a kill rate of 25 per cent for catch-and-release fishing means a season limit of 24, which equates to a limit of six for retention fishing. Further reductions if necessary must be applied equally to both groups.

DFO should also thoroughly review — with good science — the wisdom of continuing with catch and release as a conservation measure.