A WA parliamentary question explores the feasibility of a 'catch, kiss, and release' fishing policy in marine sanctuaries, inquiring about research on fish survival rates after release, particularly from deep water and rocky shorelines.

AnsweredQoN 1706Legislative Assembly
Asked
27 March 2002
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is the Government proposing to follow the example set by the Victorian Government and make marine sanctuaries open to fishing provided the fish are returned to the water immediately after landing known as the ‘catch, kiss and release’ concept?
(2) What research has been conducted to show mortality and survival rates of fish if they are released immediately after capture, in particular -
(a) release after capture from deep water where swim bladder and other pressure release problems may occur; and
(b) release after capture from rocky shorelines where physical damage may be done to the fish as they are hauled up rock faces and then released in situations where direct careful placement back into the water is not possible?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 April 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
13 days
(b) release after capture from rocky shorelines where physical damage may be done to the fish as they are hauled up rock faces and then released in situations where direct careful placement back into the water is not possible?
(2) The Research Division of the Department of Fisheries has conducted a number of small research projects on the survival of released fish and currently has a larger comprehensive study under way. (a) The current study specifically deals with this question of survival of deep-water species, and is focused on WA dhufish and pink snapper. The results of the study will be published in a Departmental Research Report when completed. (b) No specific study of the physical impact of capture and release of fish from rocky shorelines has been undertaken.
(a) The current study specifically deals with this question of survival of deep-water species, and is focused on WA dhufish and pink snapper. The results of the study will be published in a Departmental Research Report when completed. (b) No specific study of the physical impact of capture and release of fish from rocky shorelines has been undertaken.
(b) No specific study of the physical impact of capture and release of fish from rocky shorelines has been undertaken.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more