s*****h
发帖数: 175 | 1 STEELHEADERS ARE GENERALLY PRETTY SERIOUS ABOUT CATCH-AND-RELEASE, BUT IT’S
LIKELY THAT MANY ARE MORTALLY WOUNDING FISH WITHOUT EVER KNOWING IT.
There are few species of fish as vulnerable as wild steelhead. These fish
are beset on all sides by threats both natural and man-made. With their
numbers dwindling, it’s safe to say, every steelhead counts. It’s vital
that those of us who fish for them practice the best catch-and-release
practices.
However, common landing practices can kill fish without the angler ever
knowing. A team of biologists studying steelhead in British Columbia
discovered this problem, quite by accident. These scientists were tagging
steelhead with GPS trackers. They determined that the least intrusive way to
capture the fish was, well, the same way we do it. With a fly rod. They
landed the fish, tagged them with the GPS device and released them. When
they went to their computer to track the fish’s progress they discovered
something alarming.
Within two hours many of the fish they had tagged, and released in good
health, were dead. They collected the fish and performed autopsies to
determine what had gone wrong. In every case the cause of death was head
trauma. It turns out that ‘steelhead’ is a misnomer. The fish’s head is,
in fact, its most vulnerable spot.
When landing the fish the researchers had played them into shallow water
where they would be easy to tail. As the fish came into the shallows they
were on longer, fully submerged. Without the resistance of the water
surrounding them, their powerful thrashing was able to generate momentum
that is not possible underwater. The flopping fish simply hit their heads on
a rock.
The fish appeared fine when released, but their injured brains began to
swell and soon they were dead. It makes perfect sense if you think about it.
Fish have evolved in an environment where hitting their head on anything
with enough force to cause damage is almost impossible. Their brains lack
the natural protection enjoyed by terrestrial species.
Luckily, this unfortunate outcome is easily avoided. The angler has a couple
of good options. Landing fish by hand in knee deep water is a little
tougher but much safer for the fish. You can grab the leader to control the
fish long enough to tail it. After a fish or two it will feel very natural.
When possible, it’s best to use a good catch-and-release net. This is
safest for the fish and easiest for the angler. A net helps you seal the
deal while the fish is still fresh and requires little reviving.
Always control your fish once he’s landed. Keep his gills wet and support
his head in case he makes a sudden attempt to escape. Keeping him, dorsal
fin up, will keep his range of motion side-to-side, making it harder for him
to injure himself. When possible keep him in deeper water. Never beach a
fish when landing him and never lay him on the bank for a photo. It’s just
not worth it.
Wild steelhead are a precious resource. Those of us who come to the river
looking for them must lead by example and do our best to to be good stewards
of these remarkable fish. Their future is, literally in our hands.
http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/steelhead/you-may-be-killing-ste | u****v
发帖数: 412 | 2 记下了! 尽量照办.
’S
【在 s*****h 的大作中提到】
: STEELHEADERS ARE GENERALLY PRETTY SERIOUS ABOUT CATCH-AND-RELEASE, BUT IT’S
: LIKELY THAT MANY ARE MORTALLY WOUNDING FISH WITHOUT EVER KNOWING IT.
: There are few species of fish as vulnerable as wild steelhead. These fish
: are beset on all sides by threats both natural and man-made. With their
: numbers dwindling, it’s safe to say, every steelhead counts. It’s vital
: that those of us who fish for them practice the best catch-and-release
: practices.
: However, common landing practices can kill fish without the angler ever
: knowing. A team of biologists studying steelhead in British Columbia
: discovered this problem, quite by accident. These scientists were tagging
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