In comparison to freshwater fishing in Europe today catch and release practices, methods and associated equipment for saltwater angling and salmon in particular are back in the dark ages. Fifty years ago practices in Europe were similar to that seen in salmon angling today. Fish were crudely netted (even gaffed) handled roughly with dry hands, allowed to flap about on hard banks, kept out of the water for long periods and then people were surprised when a high percentage of returned fish died. At least people tried to return fish which was a step forward from when every fish was bonked!
These days all fish of all sizes are pampered with landing nets of fish friendly material with fish when landed laid on soft, wet unhooking mats or cradles, carefully unhooked, weighed and photographed. The use of special antiseptic to apply to hook damage in the lips is almost common practice. Some fish live for years through repeated captures. Some specimen carp are known to be 50 years plus. In fact sometimes the joy of catching a known whacker is tempered by the fear that the fish may die of natural causes shortly after your capture – and the care of your handling brought into question. Believe me nobody wants a known 'target fish' to die on them - it happens and the lynch mobs gather!
Landing fish into a boat is a more hostile environment and difficult. And it seems that salmon are not as hardy as some other species in this respect. I am not pretending that I have all or any of the answers but I believe present practices for catch and release can be improved. Unhooking at the side of the boat is not always that easy and at times can be dangerous and with a trophy fish it is not as satisfying as being able to weigh or measure the fish accurately and perhaps grab a photo memento.
As I have said in a previous post, if catch and release of salmon, and not necessarily just Chinook, was banned I would not continue with boat ownership. To travel all the way from Vancouver to Thrasher for example and then have a double header in the first 30 minutes and you’re done - forget it!
If catch and release is unethical then I think that the whole question of recreational fishing becomes ethically questionable. It is not countered by the argument of ‘fishing for meat’ is OK since anyone who owns a boat soon realises that the salmon brought home for the table is very expensive meat indeed. It is much cheaper to go to the supermarket. We all fish because we love the sport and/or art of fishing.