A Case For Catch and Release Fishing

With the recent announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game restricting the early Kenai king run to catch and release fishing, the debate over the practice has once again become front and center. One side will argue it's about recreation and economic opportunity, while the other side believes it is abhorrent and should not be allowed. Which is it? 

People who oppose catch and release fishing often say “you’re playing with your food" and "hundreds and hundreds of king salmon die from being caught and released." I really can't argue the first statement because it's based on emotion and opinion. I find it’s difficult to convince someone who has this mindset to think any differently. On the other hand, the second statement, “hundreds and hundreds of king salmon die from being caught and released” can be refuted by facts. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has conducted two extensive studies on the mortality rate of released sport caught king salmon and their findings have been the foundation of their management approach.  

Let’s take a look at what they have found. 

From 1986-1989 a study was conducted by Terry Bendock and Marianna Alexandersdottir about the hook and release mortality rate of sport caught king salmon on the Kenai River. The detailed analysis and methods of data collection can be found here.

The key finding is this: over a four year period of study, the mortality rate of sport caught released king salmon ranged from a high of 10.6% to a low of 4%. That averages out to 7.6%. The study was conducted with bait and the use of multiple hooks and found that the "frequency of gilled and bleeding fish was small”.  It’s important to compare that to where we are today. When ADFG mandates catch and release, fishing is restricted to a single hook with no bait. Single hook with no bait equates to less fish being caught and handled. Common sense would say that today’s mortality percentage would be even less than 7.6% that was established through this study. This, of course, is my own opinion. 

Over thirty years later a follow up study was done to the seminal Kenai River findings. Jason Dye and Lee Borden conducted a mortality rate of sport caught king salmon on the Nushagak River (Bristol Bay) from 2017 to 2018. The detailed analysis and data collection methods can be found here.

In 2017, the mortality rate for a released sport caught king salmon was 6.7%. In 2018, the mortality rate was 6.0%. Both slightly lower than what was observed on the Kenai River thirty years earlier.

Some believe these rates of mortality are high. Relative to other fisheries, these numbers are low, very low. Try googling mortality rates of catch and release walleye fishing. You are going to find rates between 28% and 50% (Northwest Territories and Alberta, respectively). 

Let me end this post by saying this: I believe in the efficacy of catch and release fishing as a management tool for king salmon runs. When ADFG announces a catch and release emergency order, they are doing it with the knowledge and understanding gained from two comprehensive studies of the practice. Their decision is based on allowing recreation with an acceptable mortality rate all the while preserving future runs of king salmon. It is no easy task, and, unfortunately, often  political winds rather than facts come into play....for both sides of the argument.  




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