GRANT
NUMBER:
NA36FD0102
NMFS NUMBER:
92-NER-002
REPORT
TITLE:
Effects of Catch and Release Angling on Important Northeast
Marine Fishes: Mortality Factors and Applications to Recreational
Fisheries
AUTHOR:
Malchoff, Mark
PUBLISH
DATE:
May
18, 1995
AVAILABLE
FROM:
National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Region, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. PHONE:
(978) 281-9267
ABSTRACT
The final report
for this project provides the first known estimates of
hooking mortality for bluefish. The striped bass
work is also important in that it confirms the conclusion
that freshwater-based mortality estimates may greatly
overestimate post catch and release angling mortality
in this species. The results of trials on striped bass,
black sea bass, and scup and weakfish given represent
the first known mortality estimates based directly on
the sampling of sport fishing industry activities. These
results confirm some previous estimates based on more
conventional methods in different environments, and indicate
that post catch and release mortality rates are generally
low for these species in these settings. The results are
now available for use by the industry and by fishery management
agencies faced with the development or revisions to fishery
management plans which require such mortality estimates.
Educational materials incorporating this information have
been updated and are available for distribution in quantity
to interested parties.
