Gamefish Tagging Program

This program was established in the 1970s primarily to give any person involved in recreational saltwater fishing and in particular, those involved in a big game fishing charters, the opportunity to assist in gathering research data. Fish tags are supplied by New South Wales Fisheries to members of registered fishing clubs affiliated with the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA) and/or the Australian Sport Fishing Association (ANSA)... members of these associations undertake the tagging of gamefish taken on a game fishing charter since the growing tendency for game and sportfishers practising 'catch-and-release' on a saltwater fishing charter to only weigh potentially record or game fishing tournament winning fish provides an excellent opportunity for tagging large numbers of otherwise discarded game fish on an economically viable basis.

New South Wales Fisheries supply tagging kits free to saltwater fishing and big game fishing anglers on request or to tagging officers of clubs who distribute the kits to members. Tags are usually placed in the shoulder of the game fish brought alongside the boat. The fishing data recorded includes the date and location of fish, boat, angler and captain's name, estimated size of fish and its condition.

The program operates in over 170 sport fishing clubs throughout Australia, with the main concentration being along the east coast. Over 15,000 anglers have been involved in the program, each tagging at least one fish. The main saltwater species tagged includebillfish (black, striped and blue marlin, sailfish, spearfish, swordfish), tunas (yellowfin, bluefin, big-eye, albacore) sharks (whalers, tigers, mako, thresher, hammerhead), kingfish, mackerel and other pelagic species.

This tagging program is very popular with the operators of big game fishing charters and those involved in all forms of saltwater fishing charters who regard the continuation of the program as essential to the long term existence of the sport of saltwater fishing. Since its inception, the program has expanded both geographically and in terms of numbers of fish tagged and recaptured. All the large saltwater fishing tournaments held in Australia are either tag only, or have a large tagging section within them. This 'release them alive' ethic has spread throughout the sportfishing community and is largely due to this program.

The Gamefish Tagging Program provides information on the movements and distribution of specific species of saltwater fish, encourages the release of juvenile saltwater fish, discourages the retention of large catches, encourages both sport fishing and big game fishing anglers to adhere to sustainability principles, develops an appreciation in anglers for the biology of game fish taken on a big game fishing charter, and develops an appreciation of the bag and size limits. The program may also contribute to a sharing of the resource, and facilitate the perception of community ownership and responsibility for fishery resources and the protection of the big game fishing industry.

Catch-and-release-fishing
Re-printed from an article by N.S.W. Fisheries.

Catch and release fishing is an increasingly popular practice among many big game fishing and saltwater fishing anglers. It is quite common for sport fishing anglers with a strong conservation commitment to release fish that they could legally keep. Compliance with bag size limits and various fishing closures also means many sport fishing anglers, by law, return fish they have caught to the water.

To maximise a fish's survival when practicing 'catch-and-release' fishing, it is important to follow a few simple fishing rules:

• When sport fishing or big game fishing minimise the time spent to land the fish. Long fights on light tackle unduly stress fish and lead to lower chance of survival as a result.
• Use barbless hooks whenever possible to minimise hook damage to fish.
• Use circular hooks when sport fishing. Research in Australia and around the world has shown that the use of circle hooks decreases the incidence of hooking a fish deep in the mouth. Fish caught on circle hooks are usually hooked in the side of the mouth increasing survival of the fish when released.
• Avoid taking a fish from the water. If you can, release the fish while it is in the water.
• If you do remove the fish from the water, handle it carefully. Use wet hands or a wet towel to minimise damage to its skin. Support its body weight. Minimise the length of time the fish is out of the water.
• When sport fishing avoid using nets to pick up fish. If absolutely necessary, use fish-friendly landing nets with soft knotless mesh to reduce harm to a fish's scales, skin, eyes and fins.
• Avoid dropping fish onto the bottom of sport fishing or game fishing boats or other hard surfaces as this can cause internal organ damage. Hold fish with a firm grip across the back of the head to remove your hook.
• A smooth, wet surface or vinyl covered foam is the most suitable surface to place fish on in order to remove hooks.
• Remember many surfaces on a sport or game fishing boat, especially metal, can become very hot in the sun. Fish skin is very prone to injury or burns and skin injuries can reduce resistance to diseases.
• Try to retrieve hooks and release fish as quickly as possible. The use of needle-nosed pliers or hook retrieving devices can greatly reduce the time fish are out of water.
• If a hook is located deep inside the fish, cut the line as close as possible to the fish's mouth. This is far better than trying to extract the hook, which could cause internal damage to the fish. Over time, stomach acids should dissolve the hook.
• Take care to revive fish upon release if required. This involves gently holding or pushing the fish through the water so that it obtains a good supply of oxygen. Hold the fish upright in the water and move it to a fro for a while.
• Avoid releasing the fish into warm, shallow margins of lakes and streams if deeper, cooler water is accessible.