Catch and Release Mortality in Belize
Documentation of Low Fish Mortality with Catch and Release Fishing at Turneffe Atoll
Catch and release refers to the practice of immediately releasing fish back to their natural environment after it has been landed. This concept dates back several centuries to early trout fishermen in England who adopted this practice to maintain fish populations in their prized, local streams. The idea gained popularity in the United States in the middle of the 20th century through the influence of legendary authors and anglers, Zane Grey and Lee Wulff,
In recent decades, catch and release has become widely accepted by flats flats fishermen throughout the world, and it has become a cornerstone of flats fishing management.. In 2009, Belize became the first country in the world to mandate catch and release for three iconic species - bonefish, permit and tarpon.
Belize is known throughout the flats fishing world for its exceptional opportunities for the Grand Slam of flats fishing - bonefish, permit and tarpon all landed in the same day. In 2007, Fedler, et al, determined that 92% of all sports fishers in Belize target these three species. Sport fishing is an important sector of Belize’s sustainable tourism economy, with catch and release playing an essential role. In 2022, Fedler, et al determined that sport fishing supports 4,500 full time jobs in Belize and generates Bz$241 million annually for the Belizean economy - approximately 6.7% of GDP. If essential habitats are preserved, this will translate to more than $1 billion for Belize over the next decade.
The benefits of catch and release fishing are widely recognized, but its effectiveness depends greatly on how it is practiced. A analysis by Paul Reiss et al., summarized 82 scientific studies on post release fish mortality. He found that mortality rates varied from 0.2% to 5.8% with an average mortality of 2.76%, and that mortality varied significantly depending on species, fishing techniques, bait (live bait vs artificial), and how fish were handled. The location of the hook wound was a major consideration with fish hooked in the lip of jaw experiencing low mortality; while fish hooked in the gills or esophagus experienced higher mortality.
The preponderance of sport fishing in Belize is done by fly fishers using small artificial flies in active motion. Guides and fishing operators encourage anglers to “pinch their barb” to minimize hooking impact. Anglers are encouraged to land their fish as quickly as possible, handle them as little as possible and release them as quickly as possible. These fishing techniques lead to fish being hooked in the lip or jaw with small, barbless hooks and resultant low mortality.
Catch & Release Mortality Analysis (Turneffe Atoll):
This analysis focuses on the sport fishing techniques and tackle widely utilized in Belize. Well-known angler and author, Craig Mathews, collected catch and release data on bonefish over a 12 year period at Turneffe Atoll from 1993-2010..
Bonefish Catch and Release Mortality Data: 1993 – 2010 (Craig Mathews)
Year Fish Landed Successfully Released Unsuccessfully Released
1993 (20 days) 115 113 2 Both taken by barracudas
1994 (20 days) 118 116 2 Both taken by barracudas
1995 (16 days) 120 120 0
1996 (20 days 174 174 0
1997 (19 days) 209 209 0
1998 (28 days) 341 341 0
1999 (12 days) 102 102 0
2000 (6 days 60 60 0
2002 (13 days) 62 62 0
2003 (9 days) 43 43 0
2009 (6 days) 45 45 0
2010 (4 days) 26 26 0
TOTALS 1415 1411 4
Percent Mortality 0.28 %
Results:
Craig Mathew’s recorded 1415 bonefish caught over 12 years with four dying after being released due to barracuda attacks facilitated by these bonefish being temporarily weakened. This reflects a mortality rate of 0.28% for one of Belize’s primary flats fishing species using the techniques utilized throughout Belize.
In 2011, the majority of flats fishing guides regularly fishing at Turneffe Atoll were surveyed. They were asked to recall the number of each species (bonefish, permit and tarpon) they witnessed expiring after being caught and released. Eleven guides recalled a total of 22 bonefish, 2 tarpon and 1 permit succumbing after release.
Conclusions:
To be relevant, an analysis of catch and release mortality must reflect the species targeted and the techniques utilized. Post release mortality appears to be extremely low for the widely-practiced flats fishing techniques utilized in Belize.
Catch and release sport fishing has been the standard practice at Turneffe Atoll for three decades. Over this period, the health of Turneffe’s sport fishery has not only been sustained, it has improved. Sport fish stocks have increased as have average fish size. This would appear to substantiate that catch and release, as it is practiced in Belize, has successfully established a sustainable sport fishery.
References:
Dr. Anthony Fedler, Economic Impact of Recreational Fishing for Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon in Belize for 2007.
Records obtained from Craig Mathew, West Yellowstone, MT
Government of Belize: Statutory Instrument No. 114 of 2009, Fisheries (Species Designation and Protection Regulations, 2009
P. Reiss, M. Reiss, J. Reiss, Phd, J. Reiss, BS: Catch and Release Fishing Effectiveness and Mortality. [http://www.acuteangling.com/Reference/C&RObserve.html#moreinfo] Accessed on March 4, 2012.