Sport Fishing Pros and Cons
Abstract
In the past, people used to fish for the purpose of eating or trading, this tradition has seen great change afterwards, so we can see people practise fishing for entertainment purposes, or what is called “Sport Fishing”. Those who perform sport fishing are fishing only for the sport; they catch the fish and return it again to the water. They do not eat it, not even keep it, some people prefer to capture photo with the fish and then let it return to the water again. From the foregoing, people who practise sport fishing are found to have no for-profit purpose; however, many animal rights defenders claim that what they do is cruel, inhumane and should be abolished. In the following lines, perspective of each party will be discussed to state final, reasonable position either with or against sport fishing.
Sport Fishing, Crime or Harmless Practice!
Fishing was made sport because people wish to learn who have the ability to catch the biggest fish, and the patience to wait as long as possible to win the big game. It is sport that requires skill and precision, an angler needs physical excretion to be qualified to participate in competition. Sport fishing is practised not for the sake of profit gaining; actually their actions do not affect the living fish population, people who practise sport fishing do not seek to keep the fish they catch, they only record score they wish to reach, they want only to fulfil their needs for achievement, they catch big fish, record the score and then return it to the water.
However, many activists who defend animal rights find this practice cruel and harmful to the fish, claiming that fish are tortured when caught on hooks, not to mention those that may be killed or maimed because they were in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Why animal rights activists seek to abolish sport fishing?
In the following paragraphs I will go through few reasons behind the calls of animal rights activists to abolish sport fishing, or what is called "Catch and Release" process.
Sport Fishing Causing Harm to the Fish
A simple explanation of the harm caused by sport fishing to fish can be presented in the few lines that follow:
- An action called “catch and release” in sport fishing causes severe physiological stress to the fish. When an angler pulls fish from the water the fish begin to suffocate, and because of the sudden change in pressure their swimming bladders can rupture. Many scientists around the globe confirm that fish may feel pain at this moment.
- Another problem is that fish often swallow hooks; this can lead anglers to pull the hook, trying to retrieve it, which can damage the throat and guts of the fish.
- Moreover, another possible harm to the protective coating of the fish body can be caused by repeated handling of the fish. These types of possible injuries can make the harmed fish an easy target to predators from the first moment they are returned to the water. Are the sports anglers actually doing their predator favour by causing harm to the fish?
How can Fish Deal With this Harm? Will there be Feeling of Pain?
The answer is YES. According to current studies, fish feel pain like mammals do. Researchers have found that pain receptors in fish are astonishingly similar to those of animals, which illustrates the possibility of pain felt by the fish during the “catch and release” process. Hooked fish struggle out of pain and fear, and almost cannot breathe.
What is the harm caused by “catch and release” fishing?
A typical fish that has unfortunately experienced the “catch and release” process may suffer the loss of its protective coating, this can make the fish vulnerable to infection and diseases, acute build-up of lactic acid in its muscles, damage in its mouth and oxygen depletion; and all of them are fatal. “Catch and release” victim fish cannot swim away or even nest. At the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, researchers found that around 43 per cent of fish that experienced “catch and release” process are vulnerable to die within the six days that follow.
How can "catch and release" fishing, directly or indirectly, harm other marine organisms?
Moreover, according to research findings, the harm resulted from "catch and release" fishing extends to other marine living organisms, few examples can be illustrated in the following paragraphs:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ensure that more than 100,000 marine animals and one million birds die each year because of swallowing marine debris. Among the rescue operations performed between 1980s and 1990s, one out of every five operation was related to fishing entanglement. For four years, more that 35 dolphins died due to injuries caused by being tangled in fishing line.
The New England Journal of Medicine ensures that fish are considered the main source of methyl mercury, and that any harm suffered by fish can affect this substance.
Suggested Ways to avoid Harm caused by Catch and Release
Some fishing experts suggest certain tricks that can help in reducing the harm, or even eliminate it, caused by practicing catch and release fishing, we conclude some of these tricks in the following few lines to determine how far are these methods effective.
Hooks: Use hooks with no barbs or crimps the barbs down. On the one hand, this makes it easily to unhook the fish quickly. Moreover, it is better for the fish to be unhooked quickly, this can save the suffer time and make the process less painful. On the other hand, this method may not work every time, an angler can act quickly for one time but not every time.
Handling: The way of handling fish out of water can make big difference. Avoid touching the fish's body with bare hands in order to avoid harming the protective mucus coating of the fish. If necessary, wet your hands first or wear gloves. However, some polyester gloves can scratch the protective coating of the fish.
Net type: As possible as you can, avoid netting the fish. If necessary, use cotton mesh or anything other than nylon or polyester nets. Unfortunately, not all anglers follow this rule strictly; an angler often uses the available net regardless of its quality.
Conclusion
In this essay, I presented the pros and cons of sport fishing and reasons behind the claims of animal rights activists to abolish it, I also highlighted the nature of sport fishing and the purpose behind it, and how it has no for-profit purpose, finally I suggested some methods that people who practice sport fishing can follow in order to reduce or eliminate the harm suffered by the fish during catch and release process, now it is time to decide whether or not I agree with the activists claims to abolish sport fishing or not, defining my position and support it with reasons.
Actually I stand beside the call to abolish sport fishing, partially at least; my position is based on the fact that in spite of the methods suggested for reducing the harm suffered by the fish, these methods cannot permanently stop it, still there are certain risks and potentials that fish harm will continue, so I believe it is better to abolish this sport, especially in the most affected water surfaces, in order to keep the marine life more healthy and environmentally unharmed, not only for the sake of fish, but also for the sake of all other living creatures that can be negatively affected by sport fishing.
Sources
- Anderson, William D. "Catch and Release - How to do it Properly." catch photo release. Nap. Web. 15 Mar 2014. <http://www.catchphotorelease.com/cpr.htm>.
