Catch & Release - The role of Catch and Release in the management of salmon stocks fisheries in England and Wales
By: Rob Evans - Fisheries Scientist (Head Office), Environment Agency.
e-mail: rob.evans@environment-agency.gov.uk
Introduction
Since the 1990’s, Catch and Release has been increasingly promoted in England and Wales as a potentially effective tool for conserving and restoring depleted salmon stocks. As a result, the proportion of the total salmon rod catch released nationally has increased from 13% in 1994 (when records first collected) to 56% in 2005 (the highest proportion recorded to date).
Figure 1: The proportion of salmon released by EA Region, 1994 and 2005
A combination of the introduction of mandatory release byelaws, new club rules, local agreements, awareness campaigns and incentive schemes has resulted in release rates of up to 100% on a number of rivers including the Test, Itchen and Hampshire Avon. In 2005, release rates of >50% were recorded on 33 (52%) of the 64 designated Salmon Action Plan (SAP) rivers in England and Wales.
Changing habits
An analysis of statutory catch returns shows that anglers have been voluntarily releasing an increasing proportion of their catch since 1994. 40% of salmon weighing 6.4 kg (14 lbs) or more and caught between 1 July and 31 August were released in 2005 compared with 18% in 1998 and 30% in 1999. In 2005, 65% of successful anglers (those declaring a catch) released one or more salmon compared with just 20% of successful anglers in 1994.
Figure 2: A happy angler releasing a River Usk ‘springer’ in May 2006
Conservation benefits
The 12,000 salmon released by anglers in 2005 will have resulted in an additional 40,000,000 eggs being deposited in the rivers of England & Wales (assumes 80% survival of released fish, 50% females and an average of 8,000 eggs per female). This number of eggs could result in the return of 40,000 adult salmon to our rivers in 2009 and 2010 (based on a 1% survival of eggs to smolts and a 10% marine survival) and a potential rod catch of 6,000 more fish. The benefits for individual catchments are potentially significant, particularly where exploitation is a major factor limiting recovery.
Figure 3: Conservation and fisheries benefits resulting from Catch and Release in 2005
Conclusions
Although release rates have increased in most rivers in recent years, there remain a small number of rivers where release rates remain low. This is a significant concern where stocks are under threat. Further promotion of Catch & Release should be encouraged on these rivers.
Catch and Release is an important conservation tool as it increases escapement whilst allowing socially and economically important fisheries to continue operating. It is essential that anglers continue to embrace Catch and Release where stocks are in difficulty. In the meantime the root causes of the decline in stocks, for example, habitat destruction and over abstraction will continue to be addressed by River Trusts, Fishing Associations, the Environment Agency and all the many other groups involved in the fight to conserve and restore our precious salmon stocks.
Catch and Release guidelines for anglers
Numerous studies have demonstrated that Catch and Release works. Survival of released salmon is generally high (80-100%) and recapture rates are usually low (c. 10%).
By following the Catch and Release guidelines set out below all anglers can be confident that any fish released will have a very good chance of surviving to spawn.
Fishing tackle and equipment
Use small, barbless single or double hooks. Barbed hooks can easily be converted to barbless by pinching the barb with pliers. Circle hooks as an alternative to ‘J’ hooks can increase the survival of worm caught fish as deep hooking is reduced.
The rod and line used should be strong enough to subdue a fish with the minimum delay.
Additional items to keep close to hand are pliers for removing hooks, scissors for cutting line and a landing net with knotless mesh (a knotted mesh net would be illegal).
Playing the fish
A fish once hooked should be brought to hand or net as quickly as possible. This will help keep stress and fatigue levels to a minimum and will ensure the fish is able to recover quickly.
Handling the fish
Keep the fish in the water at all times as prolonged exposure to air will reduce survival rates. Before handling a fish make sure that hands are wet. Take extra care during periods of low flows and high water temperatures.
Releasing the fish
Use pliers to remove hooks but if hooks are too deep and removal will lead to damage or delayed release then cut the line as near to the hook as possible.
Support the fish in the water preferably in a gentle current and with the fish facing upstream. Wait until the fish recovers sufficiently to swim away from you.
More Information
Details of numbers of salmon and sea trout released by river in England & Wales can be found on the Environment Agency’s web site at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish
The Atlantic Salmon Federation web site is a good source of material on the subject of Catch and Release: www.asf.ca/release
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