ag-2013-14-w-eng

SalmonCatch-and-Release AdvicePractice safe and responsible releasetechniques to help ensure salmon survival.Follow these procedures to minimize injury to fish:• Barbless hooks must be used.• Do not use a tailer.• When using a landing net, use one with knotless mesh, as it is lessharmful to fish scales, gills and eyes.• A leader tip should be heavy enough to bring in large salmon quickly,or light enough to allow large salmon to break off.• Move to a quiet water location.• Bring the fish quickly into reach, or break it off after a couple of runs.• Do not beach the salmon; keep the entire salmon underwater as muchas possible.• Handle the salmon gently; do not squeeze the fish and avoid touchingthe gills and eyes. Loss of scales and damage to the gills causedby pressure on the gills or by removal from the water are the mostserious injuries a salmon can suffer.• Remove the hook gently with pliers or with your thumb andforefinger. If the hook must be left in, cut the leader as close to it aspossible.• Support the fish under the belly, keeping it in an upright position,underwater and facing into the current.• Measure your fish and have a photo taken. Remember to keep the fishin the water at all times and do not hold the fish vertically by the tail.• Be patient. Give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and swimaway on its own.• Anglers should cease catch-and-release angling in extremeenvironmental conditions (low water levels and high watertemperatures).Remember: Landing, reviving and releasing your fish as quicklyas possible and following the above procedures will increase thechances of fish survival.Angling Line:Recorded message for in-season river openings,closures and other recreational fishing information709-772-4423DID YOU KNOW?In addition to the 90 DFO contracted fishery guardians on theisland there are 4 DFO fishery guardians in Labrador and 36Aboriginal fishery guardians located throughout the province.Fishery guardians enforce the fishing rules and regulationsaffecting the rivers and ponds of Newfoundland and Labrador.Angler’s Guide 2013-2014 7