Does it seem silly to anyone else to release marlin or any other large fish that has a significant risk of dying while there is still a commercial trade? Shouldn't these 'recreational' fishermen be somehow allowed to sell their fish, with the increase in fish on the market from this source resulting in a decrease in the allowed pro trade. It would of course have to be tightly controlled so that the 'incentive' to do so was only just enough to bring the fish home and not cover the cost of catching it. This may also have to be restricted to charter operators and boats with adequate cooling facilities.
Large fish should be worth enough to make the extra hassle worth it, but it wouldn't work with smaller fish or fish that are only allowed on the market as bycatch.
What value of these large fish is lost each year do to the death of fish released by recreational anglers - ie is it significant? |