Returning Fish to Water

Note Number: FN0087
Published: 1999
Updated: September 2008

 

Recreational fishers often catch fish that they are required by law to return to the water, or they do not wish to retain as food or bait. The question then arises of how to handle the fish to ensure its survival after release.

Returning fish to water

The Fisheries Regulations 1998 require the return of fish to water (except noxious aquatic species) with the least possible injury or damage where:

• the fish is taken during a closed season for the species;
• the fish is taken from a water closed at the time to the taking of the particular species;
• the fish is of a length that is below a pre scribed minimum legal length (size limit);
• taking the fish will exceed the catch limit for the species;
• the fish is legally takeable but is not to be kept as food or bait for personal use.

Several factors affect the chances of survival of a released fish, which may be as poor as 50/50, and it is the angler's responsibility to ensure as far as possible the safe return of such fish to the water through proper handling and attention to where in the body the fish was hooked.

Care in handling the fish is desirable to afford the best chance of survival for the fish, but the angler must consider the value of the act and weigh up the benefit of returning the fish in relation to its survival.

Handling fish

A fish can be easily damaged by improper handling, with potentially fatal results after release.

The damage in this case is caused by interference with the slimy protective coating (mucous) on the fish which forms a barrier to infections. Damage may also be caused by removal of scales or disruption of the natural set of the scales which permits easier access for bacterial and other infections.

Such handling includes:

• Damage to the fish's body caused by a landing net which has knotted mesh. The mesh itself will often scrape the body removing the mucous, while the knots can remove scales and damage flesh.
• Handling the fish with dry hands. Wet your hands and keep them wet while handling the fish.
  Alternatively, use wet, open-weaved, knotless, cotton gloves (similar to cheese-cloth) to handle the fish.
• Placing the fish on a dry surface. If the fish must be placed on a metal, wooded or other surface, keep the surface wet.
• When lifting fish ensure the whole body is supported.

The ideal situation is to observe the fish while it is still in the water. Having identified that the fish must be released or deciding that it is to be released, the necessary actions should if possible be taken with the fish in water and with as little handling as possible.

Hook removal

Removal of the hook is a matter of judgement in relation to the potential damage that may be caused to the fish.

• If the fish is hooked in the jaw or mouth, remove the hook as cleanly as possible, using a hook remover or long-nosed pliers.
• If the fish is hooked deeper in the mouth or in the stomach by having swallowed the bait or lure, do not try to pull or twist it out, even with a tool designed for the job. Cut the fishing line outside the mouth, and release the fish. Hooks are cheap and the stomach acids dissolve most hooks in a short time, even stainless steel hooks.
• A released fish must be returned to the water in which it was caught. It is an offence to translocate live fish to another water.

Further References

For more useful tips on safely returning fish to the water visit www.info-fish.net.

Acknowledgement

This information note was originally developed by Charles Barnham and initially published in 1998.
It was reviewed by Duncan Hill September 2008