Kayak Fishing RCG Exemption

Any idea on the science behind the mortality study?

If the mortality is that high, and I'm not saying that it isn't, then I would think a "no release" policy would be better.  I release far more than I keep, and if they are dying, that is bad.  May as well catch and keep my limit and get my butt off the water before I catch any more that would end up dying anyway.

Back before circle hooks, wasn't there such a policy for salmon, when they thought the release mortality rate was way high?  At least in the deep recesses of my mind, I remember such a policy.  It could have been up here in Washington, and not in California.

-Allen

Abking:  self-proclaimed environmentalist.  

Isn't the real problem the commercials who are still fishing and catching way more than sporties?...  

Yes, I want a longer season, but I'm not going to put my selfish hat on and go writing letters to get someone appointed just because they are our best shot at a longer season.

I almost always fish in less than 60' from my yak, and I NEVER see a rockfish that has a gas bladder problem when I release it.  I'm familiar with what it looks like since I have been out on a party boat where they were making us throw out the baby blacks and they were all floating around dead.

I believe there should be an exemption for anyone fishing in less than 60', but I'm also glad that rockfishing is closed during lingcod spawning season--pregnant females are often taken when it's open this time of year and nest-guarding males are also taken, so those nests are lost even if you end up releasing the male.  

The government should keep buying boats and licenses of commercials, restrict their take more, shut areas down to them, and the price of fish should go up to reflect what a valuable resource and a privilege it is to have.

I was out on Sunday and the ocean was spectacular--could've slayed rockfish all day.  Yes, I wanted so badly to be able to fish, but I'll wait...  I'm not sure what the best policies are, but I try to keep from adopting my own policy of self-service.