The practice in which fishes are caught and released back into the water is known as catch-and-release angling. This recreational practice is an approach, in the field of conservation physiology, used to conserve fishery resources and has been demonstrated to be beneficial to fisheries in many different situations.
Commercial fisheries are known to have an effect on the global decline of fish populations. However, there are studies indicating that recreational fishing also has an impact on the fish population [see Contrasting recreational and commercial fishing]. To reduce such declines, practice catch-and-release angling can be an effective conservation strategy and fishery management tool. Fish that are caught and then returned to the water are assumed to survive, ideally allowing them to be caught again in the future. In reality, these fish can experience sublethal consequences post release. These consequences may result from a number of factors such as the handling process, extreme water temperatures in which fish are angled in and the type of gears used. In order for the catch-and-release strategy to be effective and successful, from a conservation/management perspective, it must be practiced properly by understanding the physiological behaviours/responses of fish. This can be accomplished by using biotelemetry applications. This page is intended to provide scientific information on catch-and-release adapted from various published papers on the subject. The following information include an overview of general guidelines for catch-and-release and hook designs (particularly circle hook) which influence hooking injury/mortality related to the catch-and-release practice
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