Many people approach fish measurement with a relaxed approach and risk hefty fines, especially if the fish is size limited. There is no gray area when it comes to legal catch size. Even the 1cm difference can get you in trouble, and just isn’t worth the risk of a fine.
Sustainability must be taken very seriously, which is why fishing has very clear guidelines. Sustainable fishing means that fish are caught at a sustainable rate so that the fish population does not decline over time due to poor fishing practices. Imagine a world that is overexploited and the corresponding devastation to the ecosystem and our future generations. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to do our bit to protect the planet.
Size limits are generally based on biological research on the reproductive cycle of each species. Minimum size limits generally allow fish to spawn at least once and contribute to the population before being caught.
The biggest mistake when measuring the length of the catch is that people do not use a flat surface to measure the fish. If you use a mat, make sure it doesn’t wrinkle, which could overestimate the size of the fish. Adhesive or adhesive devices, when exposed to the weather, can shrink and become unreliable. Using a solid measuring implement is the best way.
Since fish tends to shrink if placed on ice, it is best to be cautious and allow an extra inch in the initial measurement.
Close the jaw of the fish to ensure an accurate reading. The general measurement of a fish, whether it is a swallowtail or a roundtail, is taken from the outside of the snout on the upper jaw to the extreme tip of the tail.
Your State Fisheries website will likely have a schematic on how to measure a variety of marine life, for example crabs and squid, as well as fish, so it might be worth printing a copy out and keeping in your tackle box for reference.
To aid the survival of your catch, avoid pinning the belly area as you will almost certainly damage the internal organs, drastically reducing the chances of survival.
Never touch the gills of the fish, as they are easily damaged.
Use a pair of long nose pliers or a special hook releaser to remove the hook quickly and efficiently. If the fish has hooked deep, cut the line as close to the hook as possible and leave the hook on the fish, as you will probably do more damage trying to remove a deep hook than leaving it where it is.
A fish does not have lungs, so the moment it leaves the water it stops ‘breathing’.
Research indicates that after catching a fish, holding it out of water for 30 seconds reduces its chances of survival by 30%, and 60 seconds out of water reduces its survival by 70%.
Lastly, try to gently place the fish back into the water, as throwing it away is likely to greatly reduce the fish’s chances of survival as well.
Happy fishing!