Information Hub - Safe Handling & Discard Release

 

Practicing careful catch and release is important because it can drastically decrease the number of fish that die after being released. Every fish released alive and in good condition moves the nation one step closer to the goal of maintaining sustainable fisheries. This brochure presents the do's and don'ts when it comes to the catch and release of large pelagic fish.

Author(s): NOAA

Guidelines for the handling and release of manta and devils rays that are incidentally captured in commercial and recreational US fisheries. 

Author(s): John K. Carlson, Calusa Horn, Shelby B. Creager
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) document to provide options for developing best practice guidelines for the safe release and handling of encircled whale sharks. Powerpoints included in the Appendix I on Good Practices to Reduce the Mortality of Sharks and Rays Caught Incidentally by the Tropical Tuna Purse seiners and Appendix II on Guidelines for the Safe Release of Encircled Animals, Including Whale Sharks.
Author(s): IOTC Secretariat
Guidelines to safely handle and release sawfish; with a little extra effort the endangered sawfish can be safely returned to the water with little or no damage.
Author(s): NOAA
This publication provides guidelines for rescuing and releasing sawfish caught in commercial set fishing nets in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Gulf of Carpentaria gill net fishermen have developed a code of fishing practice, supported by an environmental management ystem that ensures the industry’s ecologically sustainable fishing
practices. The following guidelines form the basis of the code’s recommendations regarding the sustainable management of sawfish.
Author(s): Stirling Peverell

The do's and don'ts to safely release sharks and rays (other than whale sharks). 

Author(s): Shelley Clarke

Best-practice guide to safely release Angelsharks if accidentally caught. Guidance developed by the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN).

Author(s): Angel Shark Conservation Network

This guide has been developed with the sportfishing community to increase the probability of these animals surviving when they are returned to the water. Developed with recreational fishers to reduce Angelshark mortality after accidental capture. Guidance developed by the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN).

Author(s): Angel Shark Conservation Network