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SHARKS: Best Practices for Catch & Release
Sharks!
We are fascinated by these iconic and awe-inspiring predators.
Recreational shark fishing has long been a popular U.S.
sport with many species known for their fighting ability.
Shortfin mako, thresher, and blacktip sharks commonly
jump from the water in acrobatic fashion when hooked.
Anglers recognize their interest and responsibility in supporting healthy
and sustainable shark populations, and many release their sharks back into the ocean.
To help sharks survive after release,
it's critical to use the right fishing gear and techniques.
The tackle you fish with and how you fish and handle
your catch can make the difference between your shark surviving or not.
What we try to do is fish heavy enough tackle,
that, if we do hook a larger fish, which we've hooked a couple hundred pounds
even in fifty feet of water here,
you don't want to fight the thing forever and have it die.
One of the most important pieces of tackle to use
when shark fishing is the type of hook.
Circle hooks are designed to safely and securely hook
a shark in the corner of the jaw.
The real big difference is the circle hook- when
you catch the fish on it - it's hooked in the corner of the mouth.
So when you bring the fish to the boat,
you have the opportunity to release it in good shape.
If you use a J-hook, it has a tendency to go further
down in it's stomach, causing a lot of damage,
especially when you bring the fish to the boat and you decide you want
to release it.
Anglers have reported additional benefits to using circle hooks, such as fewer
bite-offs, that enhance the overall fishing experience and reduce the amount of
trailing gear left in the sharks.
On a tail-hooked fish, Craig, is there any
indication of it being tail-hooked. Is there a raw tip?
With that mouth-hooked fish sometimes you'll see them come up
and they'll make their jumps.
Tail-hooked fish, you won't see it come up until late in the fight.
In addition to the right gear, there are other techniques that anglers can use to
give sharks the best possible chance for survival after release: Before starting to
fish, make sure each member of the fishing party understands his or her part in
releasing the fish.
Making sure everyone is ready increases
safety for both fishermen and fish alike.
Use corrodible, non-stainless hooks in case the line must be cut.
A non-stainless hook remaining in a fish will corrode at a faster rate.
Flatten hook barbs or file barbs down to make removal easier.
Minimize fight time and bring the fish in quickly to reduce exhaustion and stress.
Use heavy tackle and a fighting harness when angling for larger sharks.
Avoid intentionally foul-hooking sharks, and reduce the chances of accidental
foul-hooking by using circle hooks.
Maneuver your boat to follow a hooked shark and gain line whenever possible.
Never gaff a shark you plan on releasing; do not remove from the water.
Resuscitate exhausted sharks before release by allowing water to flow over the gills either by
moving the shark forward in the water or positioning the animal so the current flows
toward the head of the animal.
Remove the hook using a de-hooking device, if you can do so safely.
If you can't, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
There are a wide variety of de-hooking tools available on the market.
Using these tips and techniques will help you practice effective catch and release
angling and help your shark live to fight another day.
To learn more about NOAA's efforts to maintain sustainable shark fisheries,
please visit our website at www.fisheries.noaa.gov.