MakoMatt
Angler
Down here is Sunny Florida they place a great emphasis on understanding Barotrauma, and knowing how to release the fish for best possible survival results. There is a course you can take online, and when completed you can qualify for some free gear to help you to return the fish safely. They peg this gear at a $100 value. It is both a venting tool and a descending device. They both work great I have been using them for years.
Although the audience here is primarily made up of NY and tri-state anglers I believe all are eligible for this free gear. On the application when asked where you fish you would need to fill in Gulf of Mexico, and continue to fill out the application. Also, when asked for your fishing license number choose one of the waivers. Upon completion of the course they will mail you the free gear.
There may be a similar program in the NY area but I am unaware of any.
returnemright.org
Understanding Barotrauma
Barotrauma is a pressure (baro) related injury (trauma) that fish experience when reeled up from depth. Barotrauma typically occurs in depths of 50 feet or greater, but can occur in shallower depths depending on the species caught. As fish are reeled up from deep water, gases in the body cavity and internal organs expand, often displacing organs and leaving the fish severely bloated.
The major organ responsible for this expansion of gas is the swim bladder, which fish use to regulate their position in the water column. If you throw bloated fish back in the water, they will likely float on the surface unable to swim back to depth. This alone could lead to death or leave them more susceptible to predation.
Discard mortality, or death after release, kills millions of reef fish each year. Adopting best release practices can significantly improve the survival of released reef fish and reduce waste in the fishery.
Although the audience here is primarily made up of NY and tri-state anglers I believe all are eligible for this free gear. On the application when asked where you fish you would need to fill in Gulf of Mexico, and continue to fill out the application. Also, when asked for your fishing license number choose one of the waivers. Upon completion of the course they will mail you the free gear.
There may be a similar program in the NY area but I am unaware of any.
Home - Return 'Em Right
Return ‘Em Right is a new program to reduce catch and release mortality from barotrauma in recreational reef fisheries in the Gulf. This angler-driven program is designed to encourage anglers to learn and use best release practices when fishing for offshore reef fish. Providing anglers with the...
returnemright.org
Understanding Barotrauma
Barotrauma is a pressure (baro) related injury (trauma) that fish experience when reeled up from depth. Barotrauma typically occurs in depths of 50 feet or greater, but can occur in shallower depths depending on the species caught. As fish are reeled up from deep water, gases in the body cavity and internal organs expand, often displacing organs and leaving the fish severely bloated.
The major organ responsible for this expansion of gas is the swim bladder, which fish use to regulate their position in the water column. If you throw bloated fish back in the water, they will likely float on the surface unable to swim back to depth. This alone could lead to death or leave them more susceptible to predation.
Discard mortality, or death after release, kills millions of reef fish each year. Adopting best release practices can significantly improve the survival of released reef fish and reduce waste in the fishery.
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