photographing OOS fish

This is where it's all going on. One can ask for advice or general information or simply chew the fat about fishing tackle, tips, and locations.
User avatar
moondog
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 204
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2004 7:16 am
Location: Kitchener

Post by moondog »

Don't get me wrong!!--I don't target oos bass. But i have seen bass caught off the dock at the cottage -released again --only to see the bass go right back on it's redd and protect it as though nothing had ever happened. No problem whatso ever. Now trout-ya I think they are a little more delicate.
User avatar
Michael
Participant
Participant
Posts: 56
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2003 9:03 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, ON

Post by Michael »

Bacon,

You're missing the point. We're not talking about big tobacco company lobbyists hiring scientists to prove that smoking is harmless. Were talking about academic research scientists and fisheries stakeholders (Shimano and competitive bass anglers in Ontario) who set out with a question and and developed a rigourous experimental design to provide for objective answers to the questions of how best to maximize C & R survival.

Yeesh!

If you agree with Bacon's "science-schmience" dismissal, you won't be interested in the following (again, addressing the question of maximizing C & R survival):

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 133, No. 6, pp. 1291–1303.


Physiological Significance of the Weigh-In during Live-Release Angling Tournaments for Largemouth Bass
Cory D. Suski* and Shaun S. Killen


Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada


Abstract.—In the current study, we simulated different components of a live-release angling tournament (angling, live-well confinement, and weigh-in) to determine the relative physiological significance of these tournament components for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Our results indicated that depletions of white muscle energy stores and accumulations of muscle lactate (i.e., a large metabolic disturbance) are the most important consequences of live-release angling tournaments for largemouth bass. This study also showed that there are two distinct components of a live-release tournament that cause a metabolic disturbance in largemouth bass: angling and the weigh-in. While the physiological consequences of angling are already well understood, this is the first study to show that the weigh-in portion of a live-release tournament also causes a large anaerobic disturbance in largemouth bass. In our simulation, the weigh-in resulted in a 75% decrease in white muscle phosphocreatine, a 46% decrease in ATP, and a 62% decrease in glycogen relative to control largemouth bass. The weigh-in simulation also caused the lactate concentration in white muscle to increase by about sevenfold relative to control fish and resulted in significant changes to cardiac function. Based on these results, subsequent experiments were performed to determine the main factor(s) responsible for the metabolic disturbance that results from the weigh-in. These experiments demonstrated that the period of air exposure during the weigh-in was a major cause of this disturbance. We recommend that tournament organizers minimize the air exposure that largemouth bass receive during the weigh-in to improve the physiological condition of released tournament-caught fish.
Last edited by Michael on Tue May 17, 2005 9:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Canadian Bacon
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 4396
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2003 7:56 am

Post by Canadian Bacon »

I in no way missed the point...seems you missed mine or refuse to see it differently..ok that is your perogative!
I refuse to get into anything more about this..it has been beaten to death!
I do think however it is ok to inform people of your beliefs but also respect thiers!
User avatar
Markus
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 7362
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:05 am
Location: Nova Scotia/St Catharines

Post by Markus »

OK, lets not go to the "!'s" just yet. :lol:

I don't think this particular topic has been beaten to death....although you're right bacon-oos fish pics have.

This topic is more about the effects of spawning fish being out of the water...taking a pic is only one cause of that and not really the focus of the topis here.

Micheal has brought some good reseach data here to discuss.

Lets stay on topic folks.
Guest

Post by Guest »

This is really great stuff Michael, and I hope people take the time to read it thoroughly.

HW
User avatar
QuakerOatz
Participant
Participant
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 12:12 pm

Post by QuakerOatz »

Michael wrote:Bacon,

You're missing the point. We're not talking about big tabacco company lobbyists hiring scientists to prove that smoking is harmless. Were talking about academic research scientists and fisheries stakeholders (Shimano and competitive bass anglers in Ontario) who set out with a question and and developed a rigourous experimental design to provide for objective answers to the questions of how best to maximize C & R survival.

Yeesh!

If you agree with Bacon's "science-schmience" dismissal, you won't be interested in the following (again, adressing the question of maximizing C & R survival):

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 133, No. 6, pp. 1291–1303.


Physiological Significance of the Weigh-In during Live-Release Angling Tournaments for Largemouth Bass
Cory D. Suski* and Shaun S. Killen


Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada


Abstract.—In the current study, we simulated different components of a live-release angling tournament (angling, live-well confinement, and weigh-in) to determine the relative physiological significance of these tournament components for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Our results indicated that depletions of white muscle energy stores and accumulations of muscle lactate (i.e., a large metabolic disturbance) are the most important consequences of live-release angling tournaments for largemouth bass. This study also showed that there are two distinct components of a live-release tournament that cause a metabolic disturbance in largemouth bass: angling and the weigh-in. While the physiological consequences of angling are already well understood, this is the first study to show that the weigh-in portion of a live-release tournament also causes a large anaerobic disturbance in largemouth bass. In our simulation, the weigh-in resulted in a 75% decrease in white muscle phosphocreatine, a 46% decrease in ATP, and a 62% decrease in glycogen relative to control largemouth bass. The weigh-in simulation also caused the lactate concentration in white muscle to increase by about sevenfold relative to control fish and resulted in significant changes to cardiac function. Based on these results, subsequent experiments were performed to determine the main factor(s) responsible for the metabolic disturbance that results from the weigh-in. These experiments demonstrated that the period of air exposure during the weigh-in was a major cause of this disturbance. We recommend that tournament organizers minimize the air exposure that largemouth bass receive during the weigh-in to improve the physiological condition of released tournament-caught fish.
Michael, I think you're taking these studies in a highly right/wrong proven/unproven manner. If I may speak for Bacon, I think he was referring to the common event that reliable scientists (non influenced) often conduct extensive studies that are contraditory to another reliable scientists results. The reason for this is usually simple, purely random and representative scientific studies are extremely difficult to conduct, very expensive to fund and often impossible to arrange.

1) Your first study said nothing of sample size (the number of bass tested), location, and what exactly they define " exhaustive exercise" as.

2) Thier conclusion
stress before spawning has the potential to negatively affect largemouth bass reproductive success.
Does not align with "You shouldn't pull bass out of the water and take pictures because you're hurting the population".

3) Findings concerning rainbow trout on one body of water cannot be attributed to bass or any other species, or even rainbow trout on other water.

I think most anglers in here have conservation on the mind with any OOS fish incident. We will do or best to quickly release any OOS fish.
User avatar
Michael
Participant
Participant
Posts: 56
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2003 9:03 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, ON

Post by Michael »

If you're open-minded and curious, you can assess the experimental design (sample sizes, controls, what constitutes "exhaustive exercise") for yourselves. I provided the full article citations so that those who are interested can explore further. I can tell you that recent research from different labs in North America and Europe has consistently identified air exposure as a lethal stressor during the catch-and-release of a variety of game species including bass and trout. There have been no "contradictory results" to my knowledge. [Markus, I'm interested in seeing the carp study you mentioned]

Further to this, the "air-free" weigh-in procedure (fish are weighed in a column of water) developed with Shimano by Dr. Tufts' team at Queens was used widely in Ontario during last year's bass tournament season. In 2005, it will be used widely throughout the US. Again, this weigh-in procedure was designed specifically to eliminate air exposure.

More here for the doubters:
http://www.scienceblog.com/community/ol ... 35124.html

As for staying "on topic", as the thread starter I will affirm that the subject is "the science underlying my recent decision not to remove OOS fish from the water for photographs".

Bacon, I'm sorry about the "yeesh" exclamation mark. I take it back. :-)

For those who practice C & R but have no confidence in experimental science, how do you make your decisions about how best to handle fish? If biology doesn't guide you, what does?
Last edited by Michael on Tue May 17, 2005 5:03 pm, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
Cancatchbass
Gold Participant
Gold Participant
Posts: 1692
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:30 pm
Location: 1000 Islands

Great post

Post by Cancatchbass »

Great post, Michael!

Q.O.- If you have knowledge of studies that contradict those that Michael has referenced, by all means, please share!

I'm always ready to look at contradictory studies from different sources and make my mind up based on the credentials of the authors and the info. contained in the studies.

In the absence of any credible studies (other than the type where someone's Uncle Ernie has formed an opinion based on his own personal experiences :lol: ) that show that handling OOS bass (and other species) to the point of taking posed photos does NOT harm the fishery involved, how are anglers able to convince themselves they are being good stewards of our natural resources?

Sure, it's legal, as established in previous threads. But lots of "legal" activities can have bad after-effects...

CCB

Michael- you have a PM.
User avatar
Mikey
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 779
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:41 pm
Location: Brossard QC
Contact:

Post by Mikey »

Michael wrote:If you're open-minded and curious, you can assess the experimental design (sample sizes, controls, what constitutes "exhaustive exercise") for yourselves. I provided the full article citations so that those who are interested can explore further. I can tell you that recent research from a different labs in North America and Europe have been consistently identifying air exposure as a lethal stressor during the catch-and-release of a variety of game species including bass and trout. There have been no "contradictory results" to my knowledge.

As for staying "on topic", as the thread starter I will affirm that the subject is "the science underlying my recent decision not to remove OOS fish from the water for photographs".

Bacon, I'm sorry about the "yeesh" exclamation mark. I take it back. :-)

For those who practice C & R but have no confidence in experimental science, how do you make your decisions about how best to handle fish? If biology doesn't guide you, what does?
The experimenatal design ( controls, etc...) in ANY scientifc experiment is within itself, a very subjective debate regarding the represenation of the population. What were the water conditons?? Temperatures?? water toxicity levels?? demographic representation??? Actual number of fish tested etc. etc. etc. This is not to say that the experiment has no merit...but the true percentage of the overall populatin is debatable at least....and this is where the merit is measured. An obvious question that comes to mind is as follows...everyone knows that holding a fish out of the water is obviously not good for any fish...OOS just adding to the equation. What is the degree of damage caused at the various time points? In other words...if you hold the fish out of the water for 60 seconds...what is the impact....if you hold him out for 120 seconds...what is the impact??? Obviously it will vary....The experimental conditions on the cod fishery were very wide and representative of the general cod population irrespective of location...and involved a wide range of conditions. It demostrated the varying impacts of everything from a roll back on quotoas to a complete shutdown of the fishery to prove that a complete shutdown was the only viable option to restore the fishery. The study was conclusive. Again, not questioning IF the study has merit....but to what degree. Publishing this type of study results on am Internet chat board will have minimal impact on the overall fishery in my opinion....this type of study needs to be considered at the government level and published from within., they influence the masses...also, the various tournament organizations where a bass is "aired out" at the weigh in ....tournament angling is a big business and influeneces a multitude of anglers both south of the boarder and here....if they were to adopt such a practice...this would also influence the masses that both participate in tournaments and those who follow them.. In the end...the study is as credable as the data it contains...just my humble opinion here. As for your last question....I base my decision on common sense.... :wink:

Mikey
Last edited by Mikey on Tue May 17, 2005 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
JP
Gold Participant
Gold Participant
Posts: 1866
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2002 1:55 am
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Contact:

Post by JP »

I am glad this topic was brought up because I have a big problem with taking photo's of out of season fish of any speicies. I say this not to inflame anyone, but just to voice my opinion. I know that some times we hook one fish by mistake when fishing for another (ie. bass while fishing walleye), but if you are targetting the OOS fish then you are a poacher :!: Also if you are targetting one species, lets say walleye in season and start hitting #'s of bass and don't move to another spot, you are running a fine line between ignorance and poaching.
Sorry just had to get that off my chest.
Cheers
JP
Smile, It's a good day on the water!!
User avatar
sevendustfan#1
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:09 pm
Location: Orleans, Ontario

Post by sevendustfan#1 »

i personally would have to agree with what JP is saying about this topic
User avatar
big-o
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 3624
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2003 9:15 am
Location: Kenmore , Ontario

Post by big-o »

Great Thread Michael

I have read all that you have posted, but it all seem to be centered around Weigh in at
Bass tournaments, not around the few seconds it takes to snap a quick photo of a fish. Now that being said we have to take into consideration the time it takes to remove the hook, which I see now should be done while the fish is in the water or in a net in the water, then while the fish is at rest in your net and your fishing partner readies the camera for a quick photo, this would reduce the air exposure the fish is subjected to, but honestly I believe that comparing the time of a fish being caught and weighted in at a tourney and the average angler taking a photo is like comparing apples and oranges. But I will reduce the air exposure of fish that I catch and plan to release

Good thread
Last edited by big-o on Tue May 17, 2005 7:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Michael
Participant
Participant
Posts: 56
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2003 9:03 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, ON

Post by Michael »

Mikey, I was careful only to cite articles published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals - never perfect but the best system we have for weeding out personal agendas, bad design and flawed reasoning. Such journals are held in higher esteem than government published documents (the so-called "gray-literature").

Ray Scott, the founder of B.A.S.S. has more confidence in the findings (reduced air exposure reduces mortality) and innovations of the Tufts lab than do some of our "common sense" driven Fish-Hawkers. (I hope we're all still smiling...I am).

Canadians should be proud of the following:

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content ... gh-in.html

 
NEWS   
Shimano Water Weigh-In System Press Release

Media Update: Shimano's Water Weigh-In System will be implemented for the first time in the U.S. at the April 9 Mark's Outdoor Sports Lay Lake Open in Alabama. With Alabama considered the birthplace for catch-and-release bass fishing tournaments due to Ray Scott and the BASS organization, this is the ideal venue to debut this new concept in weighing in fish.

TOURNAMENT FISHING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

IRVINE, Calif. 3/05 - Before future fishing tournaments begin, organizers will know who the winners will be. The fish.

An extensive three-year research partnership between Shimano, Dr. Bruce Tufts and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has led to some groundbreaking developments at improving the condition and survival of tournament-caught fish.

The Shimano Water Weigh-In System is a new fish handling method for tournaments of all sizes that keeps fish in the water for the entire weigh-in - even while they are being weighed.

So that tournament organizers can use this weigh-in system at their events, Shimano has published and is now making available 'A Fish Friendly Guide' - a handbook based on the research effort.

Ray Scott, founder of B.A.S.S. explains, “The Shimano Water Weigh-In System has the potential to truly benefit fish populations every time it is used for handling and releasing tournament caught fish. “
Important scientific findings show the weigh-in process is the most critical time for fish caught in a live release tournament. The new Shimano Water Weigh-In System handbook is written for tournament organizers and natural resource agencies everywhere following the successful introduction during the 2003 season at the Canadian Fishing Tour - the premier professional bass fishing tournament series in Canada.

“The Shimano Water Weigh-In System can be used by live release tournaments of any size,” said Phil Morlock, Director, Environmental Affairs for Shimano. “The first-class research by Dr. Tufts and his staff has helped us develop a simple and proven system that can be used across North America. If that means more fish are released in healthier condition, then our time and resources will have been well invested,” Morlock said.
The biggest change for fish is that they remain in water longer than ever. From the time fish leave an anglers live-well until they are placed aboard the Shimano Live Release Boat, fish are in well-aerated water virtually the entire time. Newly constructed water-filled troughs serve as a temporary home to fish as anglers make their way to the stage for the big weigh-in.
The fish are even weighed in water, the accuracy of which is exactly the same as when fish are weighed in air. Time on the scale is considerably reduced because fish are more relaxed.

Research by Dr. Tufts' team at Queen's University indicates that the new weigh-in system has profound physiological benefits for the fish. Bass have 150% higher energy stores when weighed in water compared to the previous system of being weighed in air. Walleye enjoy a 65% improvement. This means that tournament-caught fish should be able to resume normal physical activities almost immediately after release.
The goal of the Shimano/Queen's University partnership is to improve fish handling methods during catch and release tournaments to ensure fish continue to be released in the best possible condition based on current science.

Dr. Tufts comments, “It takes time to conduct proper research, but after three years working with Shimano we are convinced that the fish will receive long term benefits from the applied science that is now possible.”
Shimano introduced the first Live Release boats at fishing tournaments more than 18 years ago. During this time, the Shimano Live Release program has been responsible for the safe return of hundreds of thousands of bass, walleye and other fish to their home waters across North America.
Talking about the Shimano Water Weigh-In System, Ray Scott said, “It works. And I urge tournament organizers everywhere to adopt it. Catch and release fishing is the future of our sport and it reflects the best of our conservation heritage. Shimano is a company that truly understands this.”
Last edited by Michael on Tue May 17, 2005 6:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Mikey
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 779
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:41 pm
Location: Brossard QC
Contact:

Post by Mikey »

JP wrote:I am glad this topic was brought up because I have a big problem with taking photo's of out of season fish of any speicies. I say this not to inflame anyone, but just to voice my opinion. I know that some times we hook one fish by mistake when fishing for another (ie. bass while fishing walleye), but if you are targetting the OOS fish then you are a poacher :!: Also if you are targetting one species, lets say walleye in season and start hitting #'s of bass and don't move to another spot, you are running a fine line between ignorance and poaching.
Sorry just had to get that off my chest.
Cheers
JP
Maybe a clearer definition of the word "poacher" is required here...
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Pronunciation: 'pO-ch&r
Function: noun
Etymology: 2poach
1 : one that trespasses or steals
2 : one who kills or takes wild animals (as game or fish) illegally
I don't see the relationship between poaching and hooking an OOS bass, taking it's picture and putting it back. You haven't taken the fish...nor killed it....personally....if anyone sees me taking a picture of a bass that I hooked while fishing Walleye or pike, returning it to the water .....and comes over and calls me a poacher??? I hope you are ready for a SERIOUS confrontation. I have a big problem with people who run around telling anglers they have broken their code of fishing ethics...when they themselves have many skeltons in their own closet...JP...you have NEVER taken a picture of an OOS fish you accidently hooked?? Either you are the exception ....or not caught many fish....I am gulity as charged I guess....and contrary to the study....I will take a picture of a 6 pound smallmouth if I accidently hook one. You say you don't want to ruffle any feathers with your comment....my grandfather taught me a valuable lesson when I was 12.....( try this excercise) he said ...take your index finger and point at someone...accuse them or judge them...he then said..now look at your other 3 fingers....who are they pointing at? Not meant to ruffle any feathers... :wink:

Mikey
User avatar
joco
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 7656
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:02 pm
Location: ottawa/hull

Post by joco »

HI ALL

THIS is a subject that will come back and back again,,,,,,,,, :? :roll:


LETS say i dont take picture off all my fish i catch or OOF fish,,,,,,,,

but i will take a very very kwik picture off a nice,,,,,or dream fish ,,, :oops: :oops: ,even if if its a oof,,,,,,i will dot it as fast as possible and will stay in water for the most part off the handling,,,,,,,,

I think for my part ,that the handling and the way you bring the fish in ,,,,,is a lot more worst to the fish then the 3 sec o,o,water for a picture,,,,,,,,,


EX,,,,,,,,,there is some people that love to play wit the fish in the water,,,
the more time it take to bring it in the better it is,,,more satisfied
experience for them..........but thats what is killing the fish,,,,,
the fish get dead tired,,,,,,the water temperature diference
betwen where is frome and the top water where he will get
tired and outoxygene,,,,,, :shock:



there is a tons off those interesthing test and studies,,,,
but like MICKEY said,,,,,,,,,there is so mutch fact you have to
take in considaration,,,,,,,


I think ,,,,,the main thing,,,,,,if you follow the regulation
thats a great start,,,,,,

WE just have to used are common sense,,,, :roll: :w


,,,take care guys,,,,,,,,,,and have a great fishing season,,,,, :wink:

joco :P
Post Reply