Preserving Aquatic Lives: An Introduction to Those Dedicated to Responsible Fishing Practices and Fish Release
In an effort to protect reef fish populations and promote sustainable fishing practices, the Return 'Em Right project was launched in 2022. This initiative, aimed at improving the survival rate of reef fish in the Gulf of America when caught and released, has gained significant traction, training nearly 50,000 anglers in the use of descending devices.
Captain Ed Walker, a seasoned fisherman and advocate for conservation, is one of the project's key figures. He encourages anglers to learn about and use descending devices, viewing their use as essential as a fishing rod and bait. These devices help reduce the impact of barotrauma, a condition caused by the rapid change in pressure when a fish is reeled up from depths of 50 to 400 feet. Symptoms of barotrauma include bulging eyes, protruding stomachs, bubbled scales, and an inflated swim bladder. When fish suffering from barotrauma are released, they often float on the surface, unable to swim down, making them easy prey for sharks, dolphins, or barracuda.
The Return 'Em Right project features a variety of perspectives, including The Advocate, The Inventors, The Scientist, The Professor, and The Captain. Guy Harvey, a lifelong fisherman and conservationist, serves as The Advocate, discussing the growing interest in fishing and the success of descending devices. The Inventors, creators of SeaQualizer, share insights about the impacts of barotrauma and the need for descending devices. Dr. Brendan Runde, in his role as The Scientist, presents findings about the effectiveness of descending devices in reducing discard mortality. Dr. Marcus Drymon, The Professor, speaks to the evolution of knowledge about barotrauma and bycatch and the opportunities to address these challenges.
Dr. Drymon's research reveals that descending devices are remarkably successful at avoiding predators. Fish taken back down to depth using these devices avoid being eaten by sharks or dolphins more than 99 percent of the time. This finding is encouraging, as it highlights the potential for descending devices to significantly reduce discard mortality.
The project's "After The Return" video series and educational manuals, flyers, and a 15-minute video training, aim to equip anglers with the knowledge and skills necessary to use descending devices effectively. Captain Walker advocates for the widespread adoption of descending devices, believing they should become a standard practice in fishing.
Partners in this effort include angler groups, industry groups, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA, and other government and non-government organisations. While specific data on the Return 'Em Right project's discard mortality effectiveness in the Gulf of America is not readily available, related fisheries conservation efforts in the Gulf region suggest that regulatory changes and habitat protection initiatives can lead to improved fish stock health and reduced mortality.
As more anglers adopt descending devices, the hope is that reef fish populations will benefit, ensuring a sustainable future for fishing in the Gulf of America.
- Captain Ed Walker, having recognized the importance of descending devices in addressing barotrauma, advocates for their use as essential as a fishing rod and bait in environmental-science and sports fishing.
- The use of descending devices in sports fishing, as supported by Captain Walker and scientific research, has the potential to significantly reduce discard mortality and contribute to the protection of reef fish populations in the Gulf of America.
