Fishing for sport only is cruel

[beebub2]

To the fish preservation society

Ok, so this may seem a little smart and provocative but it’s not really meant to be. I’m interested in garnering opinion. I’m a recent convert to fishing and I’ve come across various opinions here and elsewhere in relation to how one should behave when fishing. There seems to be an element here (and therefore, I’m assuming in the larger angling community) who deem it unthinkable to take a fish home and eat it. Not only that but a sub-group within that element who feel it’s their duty to chastise anyone who takes a fish home (in particular the almighty Bass, but others too). I’m assuming therefore that a certain element of anglers treat it entirely as a sport. Is this correct? Meaning that regardless of the fish it always goes back because the objective is never to catch dinner.

Now, of course I’m not talking about people who take 4 Bass home with them, or who take 25 cm Bass home with them or people who will take a Bass home in the coming month long ban. (I use Bass as an example because I’m more aware of the rules in relation to these fish than others).

I’m talking about people who enjoy fishing, and happen to take fish home to eat on occasion. This to some seems like sacrilege.

I suppose my point is twofold. If those who are hell bent on causing a fuss over people taking some fish home really had the best interests of fish at heart, they wouldn’t fish at all. Having a hook in your mouth, being yanked through the water against your will and hauled out of the water where you can’t breath must be pretty traumatic for a fish regardless of how many buckets of water it sits it to recuperate before going back.

Secondly, those that catch and eat fish are doing more for the preservation of fish stocks than those who catch and release and buy their fish to eat from a shop. Last weekend I caught 5 fish off a boat, threw 2 back and kept 3 good sized Pollack, the smallest being about 2 lbs in weight (sorry got the size wrong initially). I took them home and had them for dinner. I’m 99% sure the two I sent back swam away and were fine, but even if the shock of being hauled out of the water killed them (which I think unlikely), the 3 fish I took home had collateral damage of 2 fish. If I bought 6 Pollack fillets in the fishmongers, how much collateral damage would I be buying into? I have no idea, but assuming the 3 pollack I buy in the shop were trawled it’s certain that more than 2 other fish were killed in landing the 3 pollack. This is before the damage to the ocean and the entire environment these fish live in done by the trawler who caught my 3 fish.

So anyone who catches their own fish and eats them, so long as it’s done legally, regardless of size, and by doing so means they don’t go to the shop to buy their fish instead, is doing more for fish conservation than those who chastise them, return the fish they catch and go to the fish mongers.

Comments??

Last edited by beebub2 on Thu May 14, 2009 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Good comments
Intelligent argument.

Personally i fish for sport only. i actually dont eat fish!!!!! Shock horror.

Maybe i can be seen as cruel but i believe that i have shown my real interest in fish stocks and marine life through my posting of comments in relation to the illegal catch of bass and by confrounting those who i see flaunting the law.

Im not long fishing but im hooked!!!
Its addictive for me, i enjoy the feeling of waiting and praying for a big catch. The jolt when the rod goes and of course the satisification of returning the fish to the water to be caught again perhaps by another angler.
Then there is the time it allows me to unwind and enjoy the secenery in the area i fish as well as meeting great people who share a common passion.

So maybe i can be seen as cruel, butbecause i don't enjoy the taste of fish should i not enjot the pleasures of fishing??
Steve

I guess this would be a very controversial topic and would be very hard to comment on like discussing religion. There are written rules about certain restrictions on fishing some species, but they were put in place as restriction to several species for various reasons like conservation and reproduction. Outside of the written rule would be where everyone is given his own discretion on what he believe is the right thing to do based on his opinion / belief. There is no right or wrong but a matter of personal principle.

We cannot assume that people who do catch and release, really go to the fish market afterwards. They might just like to go fishing but don't really eat fish. ahhh... this maybe another off topic...

But anyway, personally - I prefer to go fishing and release majority of the fish I catch expect for a few that I feel could be worth tasting. Fishing for me is an activity that relieves stress from daily work activity and its also tests my patience. A great activity that bonds me with my kids.

Again, this is just my opinion

WABS

Thanks for the replies lads. I suppose I simply didn't factor into my equation those who fish for sport and don't eat fish. In truth the topic title was meant to be provocative, but as you can see from my argument it's a serious topic. I totally accept those that fish for sport. The main reason I fish is for the same reasons you both describe. I also accept that the fish which I throw back (which is the majority) haven't had a great time of being hauled out of the water, but so long as I continue to treat them with as much care as possible before throwing them back, I suppose I minimise their discomfort. I'm also on the look out for a good sized, good tasting fish to eat, it too is part of the appeal.

No, my point is more focused on those that somehow deem themselves superior by sticking only to a catch & release policy and continue to chastise those who take the odd one home. And those in particular who buy fish from a shop to eat. For that reason and for the cruelty to the fish involved in angling seems to be to be the height of hypocrasy. How can you torture a fish and somehow feel like you're helping fish conservation just because you throw it back?? Again if you were that worried about fish conservation and the welfare of fish, you wouldn't fish at all. You certainly wouldn't buy fish from a shop given the untold damage trawlers to to fish stocks regardess of quotas.

this is a dodgy one lads. it always leads to an arguement.

personaly i dont really eat fish but i do keep the odd one. i had about 100 macks in my freezer at the end of last summer from mackie bashing but released much more than i kept.

of all the Bass ive had in the last few weeks ive kept one, which was 46cms. not for myself but for my friends mother. her husband did a lot of fishing before he passed away and she gave me a lot of his gear. maybe 200euros worth and asked me to drop her in a few fish every now and again.

other than that i practice catch and release for Bass and most other species.

i dont preach catch and release tho.
in my opinion its upto the person who caught the fish to decide what he/she will do with it, as long as they keep to the rules and regulations that is.

i think credit must go to the author who has put thought and effort into putting forward a good argument,

Each to their own, live and let live as long as you keep to good grounded common sense and care for the marine life we deal with.

We used to have a lot of Arguement about this topic on SAI and I'm asking people who reply to this to stay on topic to keep it sensible.

From my own point of view I like to take an odd fish or two for the pot Bass included. Myself and the Family really like fish and nothing is wasted. I used to only Lure fish for Bass and as a result would take about 15 - 20 fish a year for the table. Now a days it's more like 4 - 6 if I'm lucky. Now that I've started to do a bit of Boat fishing, I'll take a Ling or Pollock home and maybe a Cod, if I ever manage a few decent ones from the Boat.

I fully support people who are 100% C&R and if they would like to return everything that is their choice.. I would hope that they do it for their own reasons and don't chastise others for taking a fish regardless of species for the table. I would also hope that an angler that takes a few for the Pot would respect someone that returns everything. I little bit like the religion point above....lots of respect on both sides goes a long way.

One point though, when our friends in PET@ are confronted by the "I'm 100% C&R guy" they simply state (You can chech their press statements if you can be bothered trawling through that mush)

"if you release all your fish, then you ARE cruel"......

"Sport fishing only IS cruel"........

Absolute Rubbish but Something to think about.

On another note and what I think is a very pertinent point above, I personally, will not buy fish at all. I have been sickened (a strong word, but 100% accurate) by the recent videos and Still of TONNES of "bycatch" being dumped at sea. I honestly feel sick even thinking about it now. Boats are trawling closer and closer to the shore trying to eek out a living and a high precentage of what they catch is too small or not the correct species.... All this is deemed as "bycatch" and dumped back to sea..... For this reason and this reason alone I will never buy fish again. In my opinion, anglers that buy fish, are supporting this horrible act, an act that could end up wiping out our sport forever, If it continues in it's existing fashion. I understand that fishermen have to make a living, but this is not the way and I for one will not support it.

Some very interesting stuff here guys, keep it up, but remember no slagin. Myself and the MODs will have a close eye on this one.

Tight lines,

Kev

i fish for both sport and pleasure, and will keep some fish for the table no matter what species they are, i love to eat fish so do alot of my friends,

all of us release more fish than we keep, but working in the fish industry i can guarantee you loads of them do die that are released as stress can kill fish so easy

i fish for many, reasons, keeps me from doin silly things on the weekends , relaxes me and most of all i love that feeling you get from outwitting the qaurry in its natural habitat,
a year ago i wouldn't dream of killing a fish purely down to the fact i hate the taste of fish, i gradually grew aquinted to it and now quite enjoy a fillet or two, i'd say 90% of what i catch swims off to fight another day, some die due to injury and the rest, i just knock on the head a devour them with chips

Sorry Mac, I misread your post, hence the edit.

As I said above the subject matter is a little provocative I admit, but it's more about making a point than a statement of fact. It's like a tabloid headline, it gets your attention!

I'm also all up for respecting others and how they like to do things and that is certainly part of the reason for the topic. I'm not for a moment saying that catch & release is wrong. Each to their own. It's the catch & release brigade who continuously make snide comments when a photo of a fish appears where the background is anything other than where they're fishing or the sacred rehabilitation bucket. i.e. if it appears in a sink, on a table or where it's clear it has been taken home or even where someone mentions taking a fish home, it's not long beofre someone chimes in with their opinion.

I suppose I'm turning that around with the subject matter. I'm also wondering if any of those vocal C & R fans buy fish in a shop??

there are many reasons to fish,being out there in the great outdoors,the things you see(saw an sea otter this year first in twelve years)the de stressing of our modern lives,the food for the pot,and the sheer pleasure of catching fish! these are some of the reasons I fish, Its a complex topic to kill,or catch or release, I think its down to the indivudal angler to do what they think is right, and to enjoy the experience. Most anglers are conservation minded and think about the future of the sport for there kids and grandkids.

Angling is a bloodsport. Learn to live with that, or learn how to play golf.

there are many reasons to fish,being out there in the great outdoors,the things you see(saw an sea otter this year first in twelve years)the de stressing of our modern lives,the food for the pot,and the sheer pleasure of catching fish! these are some of the reasons I fish, Its a complex topic to kill,or catch or release, I think its down to the indivudal angler to do what they think is right, and to enjoy the experience. Most anglers are conservation minded and think about the future of the sport for there kids and grandkids.

Couldnt have said it better.I dont go out to target fish for the pot but if a nice one comes along ill bring it home from time to time.

I fish purely for sport I very rarely eat fish but dont preach C+R or otherwise, Yes fishings a blood sport but its also a progressive sport where things change all the time with so many different methods. I dont think the topic is controversal as there is no answer to it just opinions which anglers have plenty of nobody seems to agree on anything:roll:

This discussion raises this question for me: why do many men (and women) go fishing Pondering about it a while I found this answer would be the most suitable, for me anyway
That what many people are failing to notice is that what we really want is the experience of doing something, and the good feeling of accomplishment that accompanies something.
Most people who go out fishing believe that they are going out to fish, when in fact they are most usually going out have the fishing experience.
People are going out fishing to learn patience maybe or to unwind and relax and enjoy the beauty of the environment. Many are going out for the feeling of success (competitions spring to mind there), that comes with catching a fish, and releasing the fish gratefully back into the water after taking a picture to capture the precious moment, other times they are going just for the time of quiet reflection that you get while fishing, even if you are blanking .
Also this suggestion is not restricted to fishing it applies to all parts of life; it's the journey not the destination...

I dont see any reason why people who eat fish shouldnt take the odd one home, makes sense to me I hate seeing them left flapping on the ground however and have only ever kept the odd fish myself, for the pot. its just that i dont get many good eating sized ones to keep .I also get a sense of satisfaction when I see a fish going back, which i'm glad to say is most of the time, and I reassure myself that those who don't will end up in something's foodchain. As for the catch and release only brigade, i dont have any problem with them preaching their beliefs and criticising others on the site, so what ,, they usually put up a good argument and if they can sway people to their side, more power to them. They probably wouldnt say boo to them on the beach or pier, maybe for good health and safety reasons . I for one havent met any cruel anglers, though i have met some who mishandle fish due to ignorance and fear,especially the poor doggie. On the contrary (i always like saying that ), most i've met have had the fish's interest at heart once its landed and get it back ASAP (unless he's headed for the pot ).

As for my reasons for fishing,,,,,,when i was asked i used to give the usual reasons,,,,It gets me out in the fresh air ,,, it gives me time to think ,,,its something to do that doesnt cost much money ,,,,,,etc ,,etc. Now when i'm asked i just say i cant explain it ,,,,you either get fishing or you dont and people who look at you funny when you tell them you just catch them and put them back just dont get it

or learn how to play golf.

I can do both

Sorry Mac, I misread your post, hence the edit.

As I said above the subject matter is a little provocative I admit, but it's more about making a point than a statement of fact. It's like a tabloid headline, it gets your attention!

I'm also all up for respecting others and how they like to do things and that is certainly part of the reason for the topic. I'm not for a moment saying that catch & release is wrong. Each to their own. It's the catch & release brigade who continuously make snide comments when a photo of a fish appears where the background is anything other than where they're fishing or the sacred rehabilitation bucket. i.e. if it appears in a sink, on a table or where it's clear it has been taken home or even where someone mentions taking a fish home, it's not long beofre someone chimes in with their opinion.

I suppose I'm turning that around with the subject matter. I'm also wondering if any of those vocal C & R fans buy fish in a shop??

i would agree with you beebub2
if the catch & release brigade are so worried about the welfare of the fish why do they go out fishing in the first place,i am sure a lot of whiting and mackerel and other fish have died when they have caught them,i see most of catch & release brigade have used mackerel or squid or herring or sand eel for bait,do they think these are not fish,if they are so worried about fish why use fish as bait
i love to eat fish and will bring fish home for the pot and am not ashamed to say it,i only keep fish for a dinner or 2,i do let the fish i don't eat go again,i don't eat frozen fish so the only fish i stock in the fridge are a few mackerel for bait

i am like you beebub2 I'm also wondering if any of those vocal C & R fans buy fish in a shop?? or how many of them have headed to the chip shop at 1 am for cod and chips after leaving the pub after a feed of pints

some of the reasons i fish
to get away from the wife for a few hours
for the peace and quite with only the sound of the waves and wild life.
keeps me out of the pub.
for the trill when i see the rod tip bending and not knowing what is on the end of the line.
to experiment with new fishing methods and rigs.
to catch a nice dinner

the take home for the pot and the catch & release Argument will go on and on until everyone is sick of it,
i am pretty new to sea fishing and i have a lot to learn about sea fishing but this Argument puts me off fishing with other anglers who may criticize the way i fish
its all right to criticize people who take 3 bass or undersize fish or sea trout or breaks any other fishing law but criticize a man who just wants a nice dinner is not on

Fishing for sport only is cruel

what a way to get a reaction....

but good points made for and against,

now for my opinion, because this is a sea angling forum where we all go sea fishing some people take the whole conservation bit too far, as the saying goes 'there's plenty more fish in the sea', if all the countries sea anglers fished on the same day at the same time and kept all the fish, granted there would be a lot of fish caught, but nothing near what can be caught in a trawlers nets.. it i good to see people though returning fish to fight for another day, some areas are delicate and need the conservation minded people out there to keep an eye on whats going on, especially now the bass ban has started..

but think what would happen if all the fish in a lake/pond or river were kept, then there would be trouble (and it is happening) , it is these areas where C&R is vital for this country, and the only way to ensure this is through education (and the odd fine would help too)

as for sea fishing i think its up to the person to think about what he is doing, there is nothing wrong with keeping the odd one or two for the pot , its when they take everything home and end up throwing the rest away after only consuming one or two thats wrong in my eyes...


every one is different and will have different opinions, some of us eat the fish we catch and some of us dont eat fish at all, its a personal choice for the angler and we cant knock them for what they do as long as some degree of respect to the sport and other anglers is maintained


so next time someone posts about releasing or keeping a fish, respect their decision and dont jump on them for what they did, we sometimes have to look at the bigger picture and unite as a community and it could be the person you are giving out about that is stood beside you when a more pressing issue arises

There is skill in catching a fish, there is equal skill required in providing a good release or indeed dispatch. C+R extends beyond simply catching and releasing; it involves numbers of hooks, types of hooks, barbs, playing, landing, handling, recovery and even photography. When killing a fish do you grab him mid section and bang his head over a rock, leave them lying gasping covered in sand on the beach or do you kill him quickly and efficiently with a priest? This too is C+R – catch and respect!

The case for catch and return is one that I try to emphasize here at SEAi. We kill and eat fish here too by the way. With a survival rate of 95% (estimated) of fish returned, a Sportfishing guiding service like SEAi, which employs front end, modern lure technology can have a significant fish kill impact if not used properly. This of course fails in significance when compared to the damage done by the constant illegal and commercial fishing and the regularity of reckless recreational angling that you can sometimes witness.

This to me places greater emphasis on the need for anglers as many do, to be responsible in their fishing and how it is perceived by the world.

Catch and Release – a good stress free live release
Catch and Respect – if killing a fish then do it as efficiently as possible
Catch and Remember – waiting in the sidelines are those who seek to divide anglers, increase and lobby for even more commercial activity, and exploit the lack of any cohesiveness in the sea angling community