Following new science and best practices, anglers can dramatically reduce incidental mortality of released fish and help keep BC’s fisheries sustainable and open.
For anglers on the BC coast, releasing fish is often a part of the fishing experience—regardless of the reason or species released, we all hope that a released fish will survive and carry on. But hope isn’t a strategy, and for years “best practices” have been shaped more by tradition than evidence.
An important 2024 report from the University of British Columbia’s Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory has changed perceptions and previously held beliefs about how to help a released fish survive. The five-year study, “Enhancing the sustainability of capture and release marine recreational Pacific salmon fisheries using new tools and novel technologies,” led by Dr. Scott Hinch and his students, provides the most comprehensive real-world data ever collected on Fisheries Related Incidental Mortality (FRIM). The study provides a clear, science-based roadmap showing how anglers can meaningfully improve the chances of a healthy release and survival.
Harm Is Manageable—If We Change Our Habits
The study identified the specific mechanisms that lead to postrelease mortality and showed that simple changes in gear and handling can significantly improve survival.
Some injuries are especially lethal. In a study that tracked East Coast Vancouver Island Chinook released with eye damage—often caused when large hooks pierce the eye socket from inside the mouth—were 15–20% more likely to die within 40 days than an uninjured fish. Size also matters. Smaller, sublegal Chinook (under 62 cm) are far more vulnerable to hook and handling damage than mature adults. These “shakers” require extra care and effort to avoid.
The Hidden Impact of Nets
Another major takeaway: landing nets cause more harm than most anglers realize. The study states plainly that “landing nets are not fish friendly.” Nets were directly linked to fin splits, scale loss, and removal of the protective mucous layer that prevents infection. In contrast, 90% of Chinook landed without nets showed no visible fin damage. Even rubberized nets can cause harm if used improperly. If you think the fish may be released put the net aside!
How to Release Fish the Right Way
Releasethemright.com translates the UBC team’s 15 science-based recommendations into practical habits. Key actions include:
1. RETHINK YOUR TERMINAL TACKLE
- Use smaller hooks (15 mm gap or less).
- Avoid treble hooks, which increase wound severity.
- Skip tandem hook setups that raise the risk of foul-hooking.
2. CHANGE HOW YOU LAND FISH THAT YOU PLAN OR MAY NEED TO RELEASE
- Whenever possible, release fish at the waterline without a net.
- If a net is necessary, keep it submerged and loose.
3. STOP “REVIVING” FISH AT THE BOAT
- Unless the fish is upside down and unable to right itself, avoid direct contact, remove the hook, and release the fish as soon as possible so it can begin recovery in deeper, cooler water and away from stressors.
4. CHANGE TACTICS WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER FISH YOU MUST RELEASE
- If you’re repeatedly hooking small fish or the wrong species, adjust your approach—shift depth, switch gear, move locations, or combine all three to avoid unnecessary encounters.
The Bottom Line
Anglers are stewards of this resource. The science is now clear: what we do in the brief moments a fish is hooked, fought, and released can determine whether it survives. By adopting best practices, we’re not just complying with regulations—we’re actively protecting the future of our fishery.
For full best practice guidelines and instructional videos, visit releasethemright.com.
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