– Maybe time to roar a little for the fish? Vebjørn Karlsen regularly dives in Saltstraumen. There he experiences bustling wildlife embraced by striking nature. At the same time, there are a number of things that rattle in the marine protected area, and the world’s strongest tidal current. On almost every dive during the fishing season, Vebjørn Karlsen finds fish floating on the surface and struggling to get down, as well as fish underwater that are either dead or wandering around confused. – What is the cause? Unnecessary and illegal “catch and release”, says Karlsen. Vebjørn Karlsen has taken a number of photos of fish he believes have suffered the fate of fishermen who are looking to fish for fun, not for food. Photo: Vebjørn Karlsen Bubbles in the eyes Before we move on; is it really illegal to “catch and release” in Norway? According to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, in certain cases it is illegal, in other cases legal. But: Purely cultivated “catch and release”, where the goal is only to experience the joy and excitement of fishing and then release the fish again – is prohibited in Norway. A cod is eaten at the bottom of the sea. Exposed to “catch and release”, says Vebjørn Karlsen. Photo: Vebjørn Karlsen Based on what Karlsen sees in Saltstraumen, he wonders whether this is enforced in Norway. – We are also not just talking about small fish below the minimum size that are thrown away. Not long ago I picked a fish that was lying on the surface of the water weighing 12 kilos. A cod with bubbles in its eyes due to pressure damage, he says and continues: – That people don’t bother to take care of a 12-kilogram cod and pull it out to sea is disrespectful behavior towards other species in nature. It is such a reprehensible use of our resources that I am horrified on behalf of future generations. Vebjørn Karlsen (th) has many, many dives in Saltstraumen. Here with Frode Figenschou. Photo: Synnøve Sundby Fallmyr / news Mortality cannot be avoided Karlsen is crystal clear that he believes someone must now take this seriously. – Who is actually checking this? The diver also emphasizes that it should be easier for tourists and guests to find information about what is legal and what is not in Norway. Sondre Skjelvik Enormous amounts of water The Salt Stream is considered the world’s strongest maelstrom. As much as 400 million cubic meters of water is pushed in and out of the small strait. The forces are shown well – also from mountains in the immediate area. Jon Krosby Sindre Skrede / news/Sindre Skrede&Jon Krosby Abundant wildlife Up close the powers show better. The maelstrom supplies oxygen and transports nutrients that plants thrive on. Therefore, there is a very rich wildlife both under and above water. AABippe Havik / AABippe Havik LitteringHuman activity in the area, however, causes a number of animals to suffer unfortunate fates, such as this seagull. Keno Ferter, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, often has “catch and release” as part of his job. Research at the Institute of Marine Research shows that there are very few people who engage in “catch and release” in the sea just because it’s fun. But that does not rule out large quantities of fish being released after fishing. – Many fish are released because they are too small or protected. Oversized fish are also released because they are too large to be eaten or because they are important for the spawning stock. Keno Ferter and other researchers at HI have, among other things, tagged mackerel sturgeon. Then “catch and release” is a necessity. Photo: Gunnar Didriksen / Havforskingsinstituttet When fish are first released, regardless of the reason, there will be some mortality, Ferter points out. Therefore, it is important to work seriously and quickly if you pull up a fish that potentially needs to be released again. – It is, among other things, about which equipment you use, but also which species is involved. A cod has a much better chance of survival than a redfish or a ling. Keno Ferter says there is full focus when they get a pacifier – then they must be as efficient and gentle as possible. Photo: ERLEND A. LORENTZEN / MARINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Be focused and wait with the cheers The researcher says that they plan in detail how they will carry out “catch and release” when they have to tag fish. Among other things, they marked four hope robberies last year, without any of them dying. – They swim through the Norwegian Sea and other seas now, he says and continues: – We are going to study the natural behavior of the fish. It is therefore important to us that the fish are affected as little as possible. If not, there is no point in carrying out the experiments. Keno Ferter and the gang wait with their cheers until the fish has swum away. – We are very focused when we get fish on board because we want it to take as little time as possible. It is important to keep a cool head to do it as gently as possible. We are also happy, but cheer after the fish is out in the sea again with the mark. Ferter believes that there is too much focus on the legality of catch-and-release, and too little focus on how to avoid negative pressures from the practice. – It is important to increase the knowledge of both tourists and Norwegian recreational fishermen. Research and dissemination of knowledge will lead to better practice in recreational fishing and reduce the negative effects of “catch and release”. But is anything being done to raise awareness of “catch and release”? Yes, replies the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Nina Brogeland Laache, section manager for animal welfare at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s head office, says they are working with translations into other languages, among other things. Photo: Heidi Gomnæs Lack of empathy leads to unimaginable things Laache in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority emphasizes that not all “catch and release” is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, but refers to the advice they have formulated: The Norwegian Food Safety Authority on “catch and release” “Catch and release” is about catching fish which is then released back in the same place, in the hope that it survives. In some cases this is legal, while in other cases it is illegal. There are several good reasons for releasing undamaged fish. It can be too small, or you can catch fish you don’t want to keep. Clean catch and release practice means that you have decided in advance to release all undamaged fish back out. Pure catch and release is illegal, but limited release of salmon and trout is permitted. The Animal Welfare Act also applies to wild fish. Getting caught is a big burden for the fish. It gets stressed and can suffer injuries. If the fish is not killed quickly, but is handled a lot before it is released again, it is subjected to additional stress. Pure catch and release – where the goal is only to experience the joy and excitement of fishing and then release the fish again – is against the animal welfare act, and prohibited in Norway. Research shows that salmon and trout are very likely to survive without lasting damage if capture and release are carried out properly. For all re-releases, it is a prerequisite that only undamaged and viable fish are released, even if this means that the fishing quota has been used up and fishing must end for the day. Recreational fishermen are also required to release certain fish species into the lake if they are below the minimum size. This is how you handle the fish gently: What is important in all fishing – and in re-release in particular – is that you handle the fish as gently as possible, and only release undamaged fish. Fish that are damaged must be killed quickly. You do this by first giving it a hard blow to the head so that it becomes unconscious, and then cutting across the gill arches so that the fish bleeds to death. The welfare challenges are reduced when you use suitable fishing gear and fishing method, and also treat the fish gently. Therefore you should: Get the fish on land quickly. Avoid running the fish for a long time. Use fishing gear adapted to catch and release, so that the catch is as gentle as possible. Remove the hook gently. Do not take the fish out of the water. Keep the fish as horizontal as possible. Check that the fish is undamaged and viable before you release it. High water temperatures are a stress factor for the fish. Be extra careful or refrain from releasing fish at high temperatures. Fishermen and river owners are responsible for correct re-stocking Both fishermen and river owners have a responsibility to ensure that re-stocking is carried out so that the welfare of the fish is safeguarded as well as possible. For you as a fisherman, this means that: You have good enough knowledge and skills to restock in a welfare-responsible way. You follow the recommendations for safe reintroduction in terms of welfare. You only release undamaged and viable fish. You kill injured fish, even if it means you have to stop fishing for the day. For you as a river owner, this means that: You have the necessary knowledge about safe reintroduction in terms of welfare. You inform and guide the fishermen about correct restocking. You guide or turn away fishermen who engage in irresponsible restocking. You keep an eye on whether mortality occurs that could result from reintroduction. You have a strategy for how and why you use restocking in the local management of the salmon river. SOURCE: Norwegian Food Authority. There is also more information about rules around, among other things, minimum goals. – What do you think about the challenges that Karlsen points to? – There is a great need among fishermen for information and guidance about the Animal Welfare Act. With the above-mentioned advice, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority wants to clarify what is required to practice recreational fishing, and in particular “catch and release”, in a way that is sound in terms of welfare, says Laache to news. She emphasizes that fish, crayfish and squid are animals and are covered by the Animal Welfare Act. – Lack of knowledge about and empathy with the aquatic animals means that they are exposed to stresses that it is unthinkable to subject land animals to. An octopus from Saltstraumen. They are known to be highly intelligent. Photo: Vsevolod Rudyi / Privat Karlsen in Saltstraumen believes there should be more information for tourists. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority says they are working on translations of the information into both English and German. High stress and great pain for the fish Nina Brogeland Laache in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority says many people perceive that it is better for the fish to be released than to be killed. – As long as the fish is unharmed and handled gently, this is by far the right thing to do. But: – If the fish is seriously injured, has swallowed the hook, or it will take a long time to remove the hook, the fish must be killed instead of released. This applies even if the fish is too small, or is undesirable or unsuitable as food. Many people also do not see the ethically questionable nature of “catch and release”, she points out. – Fishing involves high stress and great pain for the fish. For the fish, this is a fight for life, not a game. It is therefore less acceptable to put such strain on the fish for the sake of the experience, than to obtain food, she says and adds: – In this context, we can refer to Section 3 of the Animal Welfare Act, where it is stated that each individual animal has its own value regardless of “utility value”. It is also worth mentioning that according to Section 1 of the Animal Welfare Act, the purpose is “to promote good animal welfare and respect for animals”. Fish and other animals are living and sentient beings, not toys. – But who is responsible for following up on this out at sea? – The individual fisherman is responsible for following the Animal Welfare Act. River owners are responsible for ensuring that fishermen follow the Animal Welfare Act in the watercourse. This applies to an even greater extent to businesses that offer tourist fishing, Laache answers before concluding: – The Norwegian Food Safety Authority considers reports of concern about recreational fishing and can follow up serious cases with guidance and the necessary decisions.
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Purely farmed “catch and release” fish is illegal – news Nordland
