68 SERIOUSFUN@JFFC SEPT 2018
Handling:
After safely landing the fish, the next step is to remove the hook and most often photograph the fish before reviving and releasing it. This process involves some form of physical contact or manipulation of the fish and is referred to as handling the fish. To ensure effective fish releases we need to minimize their exposure to air and abrasive surfaces and reduce or eliminate physical contact with the fish during this handling phase.
Unfortunately, this is where many anglers get it wrong. Often compromising the fish’s health for a photo, all etiquette and best practice is seemingly forgotten as we snap away while the fish lies high and dry, gasping for air. I say this again; no photo is worth further compromising the condition of any fish. Most of us (including me, see pics below) are guilty of this and despite knowing better we still incorrectly handled fish to get photos of them. This is a MINDSET that we need to CHANGE by learning from the past and adopting the correct behavior to treat the fish we catch with the utmost respect.
What should we be doing to minimize our impact when handling fish? The solution is simple and easily executed with the right attitude. Simply #KeepEmWet and follow these three principles when handling and photographing fish:
Minimize exposure to air
The respiratory organs of fish (gills) are designed to extract oxygen from water and exposure to air will damage these sensitive organs. Rather obviously then, a fish’s gills need to be underwater to breathe and recover from the stress of the fight. Therefore, it is critical to allow the fish adequate submersion time immediately after being landed to take in enough oxygen to recover from the fight, before being exposed to air. Imagine how you would feel if your head was submerged in water immediately after doing a 100m sprint!
Handling fish like this for the sake of getting photos is unacceptable and should be avoided at all costs.