NSW Recreational Fishing Catch and Release Handbook 1 CONTENTS Introduction . 2 General responsible fishing guidelines . 3. Why catch and release? . 4 Why do released fish and aquatic invertebrates die? . 6. Before you go—where, when and how will you fish? . 8 . While you are there—best practice methods to maximise survival . 10 . Special cases that require extra effort . 12 . Humane harvest methods . 14 Fishing competitions . .16 . Summary of research results . 18 Research results for individual species . 22 Black Bream . 23 Yellowfin Bream . 23. Dusky Flathead . 26 . Southern Sand Flathead . 26 Eastern Sea Garfish . 28. Luderick . 29. © State of New South Wales through the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Mulloway . .30 . Infrastructure and Services 2013. This publication is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in an unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal Sand Mullet . 32 use or for non-commercial use within your organisation. To copy, adapt, publish, distribute or Sand Whiting . 33 commercialise any of this publication you will need to seek permission from the NSW Department Silver Trevally . 35 of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). Snapper . 36. NSW R NSW Tailor . .38 . Disclaimer Yellowtail Kingfish . 40 and Release Handbook —2013 Catch Fishing ecreational The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the Australian Bass . 42 time of writing (August 2013). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up-to-date and to check the currency Freshwater Catfish . 45 of the information with the appropriate officer of NSW DPI or the user’s independent advisor. Golden Perch . 46 Murray Cod . 48 This publication is a guide only. It does not replace the Fisheries Management Act 1994 or other acts and statutory rules applying to, or affecting recreational fishing. It cannot be used as a defence in a Silver Perch . 50. court of law. Blue Swimmer Crab . 52 Recreational fishing regulations may change during the life of this publication. It is the Eastern Rocklobster . 54 responsibility of fishers to ensure they are acting within the law at all times. Southern Rocklobster . .54 . This publication is produced by NSW DPI on behalf of the State of NSW, PO Box 4321, Giant Mud Crab . 56. Coffs Harbour. Threatened or protected species . 58. Acknowledgements . 60. ISBN: 978 1 74256 573 6 (web) 11258_AUG2013 2 3 INTRODUCTION Prepared by Karina Hall, Paul Butcher and Matt Broadhurst, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) promotes responsible fishing. This guide summarises the current best practice catch and release methods for inshore and freshwater recreational species. It should be used in combination with the fisheries regulations detailed in the NSW Recreational Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing Guides, which can be found at GENERAL RESPONSIBLE FISHING GUIDELINES www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries. ■■ Only keep sufficient catch for your needs, and follow the current NSW DPI regulations. Following the practices outlined in this guide will help you to maximise the survival of released ■■ Quickly release all illegal or unwanted catches, except those classified as noxious species, fish and invertebrates, minimise impacts to aquatic resources and promote the sustainability of following the best practice catch and release methods outlined on pages 10–13. recreational fishing into the future. Remember that all native species are important to ecosystems. ■■ Quickly and humanely kill your retained catch and noxious species using the methods outlined on pages 14–15. To avoid wastage, always immediately chill your retained catch. ■■ Dispose of all litter, discarded fishing tackle and fish waste responsibly. Return unused live baits to areas where they were collected. ■■ Wherever possible, use environmentally friendly fishing tackle such as non-lead sinkers, biodegradable line and non-stainless hooks. To minimise pollution, maintain boat engines. ■■ Reduce injuries to wildlife by always attending your lines, regularly checking any set traps and hoop nets, and avoiding known feeding and breeding areas of birds, turtles or platypus. Take care when boating and anchoring to avoid damaging habitat. R NSW ■■ If you hook a bird, stay calm. Gently reel it in. Even pelicans can be slowly retrieved and are generally placid. Place a towel or shirt over the bird’s head and eyes and carefully remove and Release Handbook —2013 Catch Fishing ecreational the hook or line. Do not cut the line or release the bird if the hook has been swallowed or embedded too deeply to remove easily. Instead, contact the Australian Seabird Rescue: north 0428 862 852, central 0438 862 676 or south 0431 282 238; or alternatively call WIRES 1800 641188. ■■ Do not interfere with commercial fishing and keep clear of boating channels. Obtain permission from landholders before accessing private property and only drive on established roads. ■■ Fish safely and do not take any undue risks, particularly when rock fishing or boating. Always check weather forecasts and swell conditions before you go fishing. Refer to www.safefishing.com.au for more information. ■■ If you suspect illegal fishing activity, contact your local NSW DPI Fisheries Officer or the Fishers Watch Phoneline 1800 043 536. ecreational Fishing Catch and Release Handbook—2013 Catch Fishing ecreational ■■ For more information on responsible fishing, refer to the National Code of Practice for Recreational and Sport Fishing available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and NSW R NSW Forestry www.daff.gov.au/publications/fisheries or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries. 4 5 Other more regulated experiments in ponds or Some of the findings are relevant to many aquaria have been used to investigate specific species and form the basis of general factors of interest (e.g. barotrauma or deep- guidelines summarised in this front section, hook shedding) or when only aquaculture which is followed by more specific information fish were available (e.g. Mulloway and Silver about individual species that were studied in Perch). Tag and release experiments were also greater detail. completed to investigate the longer-term fate of some angled fish. The results from these The suitability of each species for catch and other experiments have not been included in release was also rated. This rating was based survival estimates tables, but are summarised on the likely survival of individuals after on the appropriate individual species pages. experiencing one or more known harmful factors during conventional fishing: ■■ fair, if severely affected ■■ good, if moderately affected ■■ excellent, if minimally affected. While considerable progress has been made to identify best practice catch and release procedures, there are still more than 50 important species in NSW and other fishing scenarios that need to be investigated. In particular, very little work has been done with oceanic fish, especially those that are angled WHY CATCH AND RELEASE? Catch and release research in NSW and released from deep water, freshwater Every recreational fisher should know Since 2001, the NSW DPI Fisheries crustaceans, cephalopods or bycatch species. how to catch and handle fish and aquatic Conservation Technology Unit, with funding invertebrates to ensure released individuals from recreational licence fees, has been Such research is clearly an ongoing priority, have the best chance of survival. Bag and investigating the survival and health of key This guide combines all of the relevant and the results will be included in future research results from NSW, with some similar size limits, closed seasons and locations inshore and freshwater fish and crustaceans updates of this guide. In the meantime, we R NSW and protected species, all require certain after catch and release. Most of this work studies from other Australian states and encourage fishers to closely follow the broad overseas, to outline best practice catch and individuals to be released, so you need to be has involved volunteer recreational fishers recommendations outlined here. Doing so will and Release Handbook —2013 Catch Fishing ecreational prepared. Catch and release is also popular targeting key species with their conventional release methods. minimise unwanted impacts to some of our as a voluntary conservation measure, and has methods and then releasing their catches into most valuable aquatic resources. been adopted by many fishing competitions. field-based cages or tanks for monitoring, typically over less than five days. The good news is that Australian and international research shows that most inshore and freshwater fish and crustaceans survive after release, and that catch and release fishing is effective for managing and conserving stocks. While these results are very positive, it is also clear that for many species, survival can be improved and adverse effects to the health of individuals reduced if appropriate catch and release practices are chosen. ecreational Fishing Catch and Release Handbook—2013 Catch Fishing ecreational NSW R NSW 6 7 WHY DO RELEASED FISH AND AQUATIC Death can result directly from the injuries Stress Temperature shock INVERTEBRATES DIE? or their effect on the individual’s ability to Fish and aquatic invertebrates undergo similar Most fish and aquatic invertebrates are Most deaths after catch and release