Catch and release

Catch and release is a term given to the recreational fishing where releasing the fish (catch) is believed to be a technique of conservation. After catching the fish are released back into the water before they are totally exhausted or critically injured.

Catch and release was first introduced as a management tool in the state of Michigan, (U.S. of America) in 1952 as an effort to reduce cost of stocking hatchery-raised trout. Anglers fishing for fun rather than for food production accepted the idea of releasing the fish while fishing in no-kill zones. Conservationists have even advocated catch and release practices as a way to ensure sustainability and avoid overfishing of fish stocks.

The method is however disputed both from an ethical point of view and the conservation properties have many places shown not to be significant. Both catching and releasing fish may cause pain for the fish. Painful treatment is however regarded as more acceptable while producing necessary food than when this is a leisure time activity for pleasure only. Because of these considerations the catch and release method is illegal in Norway.

The effects catch and release methods have on stock conservation depend on the biological characteristics of the species, selection pattern applied, possible infections, transmitting of diseases, predators, etc, and have to be evaluated individually in each case.