fishsmart ... for the future of fishing

8/3/2019 FishSmart ... for the future of fishing

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Andrew Loftus and Gil RadonskiAndrew Loftus and Gil Radonski(([email protected]@andrewloftus.com)) ([email protected])([email protected])

FishSmart.........FishSmart.........

..For the future of fishing..For the future of fishingOctober 21, 2010October 21, 2010


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FishSmart........FishSmart........

Is a program to increase the survival ofIs a program to increase the survival of

angler caught and released fishangler caught and released fish


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Whats the Problem?Whats the Problem?

Release mortalityRelease mortality severelyseverely impactsimpactsrecreational fisheriesrecreational fisheries

211211 millionmillionfish released annually by marinefish released annually by marine

recreational anglers.recreational anglers. In some recreational fisheries, dead discardsIn some recreational fisheries, dead discards

may exceed retained catchmay exceed retained catch

ScienceScience--basedbased guidanceguidance isis needed to driveneeded to drive

actions to reduceactions to reduce release mortalityrelease mortality


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FishSmartFishSmartPutting science into practicePutting science into practice

Assess our state of knowledgeAssess our state of knowledge Release mortality...what do we know?Release mortality...what do we know?

Management...how is it applied?Management...how is it applied?

Best Practices...what are they?Best Practices...what are they?

Implement practices to reduce orImplement practices to reduce or

manage for mortalitymanage for mortality


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Watch Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lum4x75mSDs)


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FishSmartFishSmartDevelop InformationDevelop Information

Compile information on best release practicesCompile information on best release practicesfor marine speciesfor marine species from existing sourcesfrom existing sourcesdontdont

reinvent the wheelreinvent the wheel

Focusing on barotrauma on key speciesFocusing on barotrauma on key species West Coast RockfishWest Coast Rockfish

Gulf/Southeast Red SnapperGulf/Southeast Red Snapper

Identify gaps in existing knowledgeIdentify gaps in existing knowledge


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Communicate InformationCommunicate Information

Team with Recreational Boating and FishingTeam with Recreational Boating and Fishing

Foundation toFoundation to interactivelyinteractivelycommunicate with acommunicate with awide angler base, enhancing currentwide angler base, enhancing currentactivist/scientist communication.activist/scientist communication.

Assemble information in a format that appeals toAssemble information in a format that appeals toanglers and fosters stewardshipanglers and fosters stewardship

Develop template for materials for partners toDevelop template for materials for partners touse if desired.use if desired.


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Promotion of Best PracticesPromotion of Best Practices

Best practices web castsBest practices web casts

National campaign featuring wellNational campaign featuring well

known fishing identityknown fishing identityWeb presence with dynamic contentWeb presence with dynamic content

Measure results!!Measure results!!


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Engage IndustryEngage Industry

Work with industry to develop theWork with industry to develop thebasis for a Fish Friendly Tacklebasis for a Fish Friendly Tackle

programprogram


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Whats been Done?Whats been Done?


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FishSmart/BarotraumaFishSmart/BarotraumaWorkshopWorkshop

Comprehensive review of science and managementComprehensive review of science and management((www.fishsmart.orgwww.fishsmart.org))

General guidelines for the release of saltwater fishGeneral guidelines for the release of saltwater fish

SpecificSpecific releaserelease guidelinesguidelines for speciesfor species caught atcaught at

greater depthsgreater depths RecommendationsRecommendations for improving management offor improving management of

fisheries with high release mortalityfisheries with high release mortality

IdentifyIdentify crucial gaps in research impeding ability tocrucial gaps in research impeding ability to

improve managementimprove management


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Example:Example:Barotrauma Impacts FisheriesBarotrauma Impacts Fisheries

Courtesy of Steve Theberge


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Example of Findings:Example of Findings:

Recompression DevicesRecompression DevicesLikely the Preferred AlternativeLikely the Preferred Alternative

(Courtesy of Alena Pribyl)


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Example of Findings:Example of Findings:

Venting Where Required orVenting Where Required orRecompression Not PossibleRecompression Not Possible

Courtesy of Steve Theberge


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Example of Findings:Example of Findings:Management GuidanceManagement Guidance

Regional workshops to develop region andRegional workshops to develop region and speciesspecies--specificspecific guidance onguidance on handling techniques andhandling techniques andmanagement strategiesmanagement strategies

ConductConduct exemptedexempted fishing permit studies certifyingfishing permit studies certifyinganglers for fishing in closedanglers for fishing in closed areasareas for the purposesfor the purposesof collectingof collecting data (e.g.,data (e.g., population and research )population and research )

Begin evaluating changes to the legal frameworkBegin evaluating changes to the legal framework


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Example of Findings:Example of Findings:Gaps in KnowledgeGaps in Knowledge

Effectiveness of recompression techniques for specificEffectiveness of recompression techniques for specificareas/fisheriesareas/fisheries

How far down to release fishHow far down to release fish

Quantify the impact of different release mortalitiesQuantify the impact of different release mortalitiesfor fisheries assessments/catch estimation withinfor fisheries assessments/catch estimation withinseasonseason

SpeciesSpecies--specificspecific effects of barotrauma, predationeffects of barotrauma, predationand hook mortality.and hook mortality.


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Future: ImplementationFuture: Implementation

Regional workshops 2011Regional workshops 2011--1212

Enhanced communication to establishEnhanced communication to establish

angler adoption of techniquesangler adoption of techniques

Fish Friendly Tackle ProgramFish Friendly Tackle Program


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FishSmart.FishSmart.for the future of fishingfor the future of fishing

www.FishSmart.orgwww.FishSmart.org

fishsmart ... for the future of fishing

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