THE LAKE OF MENTEITH FISHERIES WEBSITE
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CATCH AND RELEASE, CATCH AND RELEASE TECHNIQUE and SUSTAINABILITY
Updated for 2012 (see below)
SUSTAINABILITY
You will see from our tariff page that our keep limit is variable but with a maximum of 5 fish per individual. The world’s wild marine fish stocks are facing increasing pressure from over exploitation, with a consequent associated and steep rise in the price of fishmeal and more specifically fish oil, the major components in the diet of our pond and pen reared trout. This year we have introduced lower tariffs for reduced bag limits as per angler demand. In the interest of our sport, the fishery hopes that a lower than maximum fish kill will be considered - with catch and release thereafter. Our aim is to maintain stocking rate but boost catches by returning more fish. Catch cards will be provided for competitions. We should only keep fish when appropriate, so that their food worth is correctly appreciated. Few people care more about fish than anglers. I appeal to you to help to pressure your MP and MSP in matters concerning fish conservation, with particular reference to the potential role in conservation and angling tourism, that Marine Protected Areas (no commercial fishing) could play along our coast and in the oceans. The fishery works closely with government bodies to safeguard the sustainability of the Lake’s recreational and nutritional resource, and continues to apply pressure to the legislative process to ensure that all fish feed is sourced from sustainably managed resources. Quint Glen (mgr)
A Survey of Catch & Release in Stocked UK Stillwater Trout Fisheries DOWNLOAD PDF
Increased catch and release at the Lake in recent years.
YEAR |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
FISH STOCKED PER BOAT HOUR |
|
0.67 |
0.67 |
0.63 |
0.66 |
0.77 |
0.73 |
0.69 |
TOTAL CATCH No. PER 8HR BOAT |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.4 |
5.4 |
5.84 |
MEAN WEIGHT OF FISH (lbs) |
2.21 |
2.15 |
2.25 |
2.42 |
2.36 |
2.2 |
2.03 |
2.4 |
% OF CATCH RETURNED |
8.2 |
11.9 |
10.4 |
17.1 |
23 |
26 |
27 |
35.7 |
Over the years the number of fish caught has increased dramatically to around 35% (see above). This is due to more fish being caught and released and more fish being stocked. Last year Increased catch and release allowed us to marginally reduce stocking in terms of fish stocked per boat hour whilst still managing an increase in catch rate. Percent recovery of fish stocked caught was 106%, the first time we have passed the 100% mark.
Bag Limit Options/Pricing
This year we have introduced lower permit prices for lower bag limit permits. Thus a 10 fish boat limit is £2 more than a 6 fish permit etc. These prices do not reflect the difference in fish limit cost per permit (a fish is valued at around £7) but are an attempt to differentiate between likely kill number according to permit, as opposed to bag limit. We have also had to be cautious with the introduction of variable bag limit prices as we are not sure what the anglers will desire and thus we have reduced risk by this gradual introduction.
The catch and release video below is one of the more instructive I have found. If you know of a better one - please let me know.
Catch and Release Technique - video
Some foot notes relating to the above video. We are told not to put our fingers in the gills of fish - but it looks like this might be happening in one or two of the shots. A stringer is basically a strong line passed through the gills of a fish and allows the fish to be kept in the water when dispatched - instead of a bass bag.
Notes re catch and release at the Lake. If possible the fish should stay in the water - as indicated in the video. Alternatively for those with limited mobility, I have been shown a technique where a bucket of water is kept in the boat (any fish for keeping can be put in it on the way home), and netted fish are placed in the bucket for unhooking. Foreceps are an essential part of the anglers tackle.