Wow. Talk about missing the point there Doctor.
You were given some good info from others, and chose to hear what you wanted and ignore the rest. No one has a problem with you catching your limit of rockfish and making your fish tacos. But that's not what happened in your video. You caught more than your limit and tossed them back...
This was already posted for you... published by Fisheries...
"Avoid rockfish by fishing away from rocky reef areas, key habitat for these fish.
Rockfish rarely survive after being caught, so keep what you catch within your
limit. Move to another area or change your gear or fishing method if you reach
your rockfish limit. "
But you also clearly stated that you are more of an expert on rockfish catch and release mortality facts than Fisheries and Oceans Canada by stating "they are wrong". It doesn't matter if they are coppers or quillbacks, they are potentially 50-95 year old fish that are have a tough time recovering from fishing pressure. You state that reverse hook release weights or cages can help them survive but you weren't using any such devices.
Arrogance? Or you are a marine biologist who is going to enlighten me on rockfish survival rates?
The same type of attitude that believes lifejackets are for other peoples kids, not for the family of an accomplished waterman like you. Tell that to the Coastguard guys who are still reeling from the death of a boat owner and his 8 year old daughter in Howe sound last month. They never found him... but pulling his dead daughter out of the water (without a lifejacket) is something they will never forget. No one knows what happened, it was a nice sunny day and they were in sheltered waters. Stuff happens.
You say you've had the conversation about lifejackets too many times so I doubt you'll listen. You have a beautiful family, I'll be praying for them.
I'm sorry I really don't want to argue. I'm just one guy, if you want to make a change lobby the government to change the regulations to: it is unlawful to catch and release rockfish.
I guess we have different perspectives, doesn't mean I'm arrogant. What's better? a three and a one year old bobbing around in the ocean for hours (days), living or dieing of exposure... with two dead parents? I'd say better off resting in peace with the parents. I'm just curious if you all wear lifejackets on the boat all the time? My kids wear them when I feel there is concern and so do I. When I was out there I didn't see many lifejackets being worn on other boats.
Some people want to live forever here on earth... I've seen my share or dieing elderly, cancer, heart disease, copd and what not... doesn't look fun. Most people would choose to die traumatically over slow prolonged death. I don't see the concern about death, but maybe you don't deal with it every day.
The fish I caught swam to the bottom by their own will and did not suffer barotrauma. Those methods of release mentioned are for fish that have suffered barrotrauma that cannot descend themselves. It was 10-20 feet where I was. The Canadian sight says risk of rockfish death in as little as 10 meters. That's 30 feet... I wasn't even that deep. Don't worry I wouldn't do the same thing in deep water or where I thought the fish were in danger. I really am not trying to purposely harm fish.
On a side note I have to chuckle... because you believe what Fisheries and Oceans Canada has to say... the same ones who continue to allow and promote penned farmed salmon even though it has unequivocally been linked to decreased survival of wild salmon and endangering the whole population by introducing salmon viruses. You guys are worried about a few rockfish while the government of Canada allows commercial bottom trawlers out there scooping tons of rockfish off the bottom for the commercial market. Once again... going a little hard on one guy, I think your concern is miss directed. You should be trying to eradicate Farming Salmon and Commercial rockfish harvest if you really want to save the Sport.
Like I said different perspectives... I'm a big picture kind of person. Sorry I don't mean to be offensive, just sharing my thoughts. My wife always reminds me what one of my professors said... It's better to be nice than right. That's a tough one to live by. I respect your opinions, thoughts and suggestions. Most of all thanks for your prayers for my family. Can never have too many people praying for you
I like objective data... here are my sources.
http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archi...ully-released-rockfish-can-survive-barotrauma
If you've never seen it this is how it works.
[ClRr5_EH6dM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClRr5_EH6dM
