We understand that we may not be able to just stop the fishing industry, BUT we strongly oppose any form of sport or entertainment where animals are used. How many of you have taken part in this cruel game of CATCHING & RELEASING A FISH for entertainment or sport without considering the effects on the fish? A favourite justification for this cruelty is, “fish don’t feel pain”. How can you guarantee it? Because this story was told to you by another person who wanted to justify their cruelty. Even if they didn’t, why would you intentionally damage their bodies?
LET US LOOK INTO A FEW ASPECTS OF THIS GAME
There are many studies available on the mortality rate of these catch-and-release fish. They vary depending on many factors. How much death will be acceptable to you? These studies vary from 10 % to 74% with an expected average of 50%. This catch & release method is defended as part of conservation, but people catch & release for personal fun mainly, don’t they? Take a photo to boost your low self-esteem, maybe, or for some likes on Facebook?
One trout enthusiast raised the issue: If one angler catches three fish and keeps all of them to eat, and another catches 40 fish and releases them all, but 10% die anyhow, who has killed more trout? You do the math. Three of the 5 freedoms of animal welfare include freedom from pain, disease, injury and fear & distress and discomfort. Can you guarantee this freedom when you catch & release? All animals possessing a nervous system and pain receptors are capable of suffering the effects of pain. Various studies confirm the trauma, stress and pain behaviour for fish.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT MORTALITY
1. Water temperature with higher mortality in warm water (40%)
2. Play time with fish – basically, how long you fought with the fish to bring them to land. Fish exhaustion, trauma and stress.
3. How the fish was landed. Hauling in fish over the side by the line, hanging on a hook, or squeezing it with your hand can cause major internal organ damage.
4. Time passed before releasing back into the water. A study showed 12% die with immediate release, 38% with 30 seconds outside and 72% with 1 minute outside water.
5. Fish lime loss with handling and long net time. Fish need the lime to fight disease and bacterial infections.
6. How the fish is held. Should not be held vertically.
7. Fish gills are needed for breathing. Touching them can affect breathing ability or damage gills.
8. Eyesight damage due to even light touching.
9. How the hook is removed and how much damage is caused. Line cut is sometimes better for fish, but it can take up to two months for them to lose the hook. In one study, 47% of trout died with the line cut, and 74% died with a prolonged attempt to remove the hook.
10. How the fish is returned (fig 8 movement, gently lowered, stream direction).
11. Barotrauma (deep water to shallow water pressure change). Damage to the swimbladder affects the ability to dive again. Some prick this swim bladder to deflate, but that can be just as fatal.
12. Trauma is also caused by the pressure change of water vs. air.
13. Species of fish
14. Inadequate holding (bucket or tank outside water)
15. Where the fish was hooked. In a Texas study 48% died if hooked in the throat, 17% hooked gills, 20% hooked mouth. Gut-hooked deaths are also very high. Even if this fish doesn’t die within an estimated 6 days later, the injuries can affect their ability to feed, thus their growth, diving ability and overall survival.
SPAs & FISH – How many of you went to a SPA and let fish nibble at your feet without considering the effects on them? The SPA is exploiting animals for financial gain. Read more on this topic here.
Are you such a selfish person that your “fun” outweighs even the slightest risk or trauma mentioned above? YES YOU ARE!
Sources:
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/…/4602022-catch…
NOAA Fisheries Services, Takemefishing.com, U.S. National Park Service, Angling Unlimited, Michigan DNR.
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