FISHERMEN/Letter concerning Striped Bass.....See Attached.

[Lido-Gambler]

Originally Posted by RU fan

Thank you for your efforts in trying to protect our right to fish. As I read your draft one thought came to mind. Is there any specific data with shows the reductions in mortality rates with the use of circle hooks? This might bolster your case. Without specifics, I fear they will likely need to study. Which will be their excuse just to do nothing.

I'm just a old time fisherman who's seen bag limits and size of fish we keep decline steadily over the years. The people making these decisions are not driven by science nor are they concerned with recreational fishermen nor the revenue our side generates.

Very few studies and very little data. The two-year study in Mass. concluded that bass survival is related to three factors: hook location, water temperature, and handling time. Fish caught in 60° to 70° F water, hooked in the gills, and handled out of the water for two minutes had an 85-percent mortality rate. Fish hooked in the stomach in the same temperature range and handled similarly did a little better, with a 50-percent mortality rate. Fish hooked in the esophagus had better outcomes, with a 30-percent mortality rate. Fish hooked in the mouth (circle hooks)had the lowest mortality rate of 5 percent.

[Lido-Gambler]

This 9% figure seems to be derived from ONE study in Mass by Paul Diodati and unfortunately no other agency seems ready to conduct similar studies.