catch and release
Catch-and-release (C&R) is practiced by recreational anglers either because of regulations (e.g., size limits, catch limits) or because of a conservation ethic. Regardless of the motivation, more fish are released in recreational fisheries than are kept, and a growing body of science is showing that how fish are caught and handled can play a major role in their disposition and survival after release.
Research in my lab has focused on identifying which elements of C&R have the greatest impact on fish, and then using this evidence to develop best practices that anglers can adopt. Over the past 20 years, our collaborative efforts have studied C&R of bonefish, great barracuda, lemon sharks, striped bass, golden dorado, several species of mahseer, steelhead, and brook trout. Currently, efforts are focusing on giant trevally, northern pike, smallmouth bass, permit, and tarpon. My lab also focused on the dissemination of scientifically tested best practice for C&R through a grassroots non-governmental organization, Keep Fish Wet.
Collaborators
People: Dr. Luke Griffin, Peter Holder, Alexadrian Tarhan, Auston Chhor, Luc LaRochelle, Dennis Zimmerman, Grace Casselberry
Partners: Keep Fish Wet, Muskies Canada
Related Publications
134. Holder PE, Griffin LP, Adams AJ, Danylchuk AJ, Cooke SJ, Brownscombe JW. 2020. Stress, predators, and survival: Exploring Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) catch-and-release fishing mortality in the Florida Keys. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 524:159289 Download Publication
102. Guckian, M.L., A.J. Danylchuk, S.J. Cooke, and E.M. Markowitz. 2018. Peer pressure on the riverbank: Assessing catch-and-release anglers’ willingness to sanction others’ (bad) behavior. Journal of Environmental Management 219:252-259. Download Publication
100. Danylchuk, A.J., S.C. Danylchuk, A. Kosiarski, S.J. Cooke, and B. Huskey. 2018. Keepemwet Fishing – An emerging social brand for disseminating best practices for catch-and-release in recreational fisheries. Fisheries Research 205:52-56.