Switzerland Bans Catch-And-Release

[drolfson]

From here:
http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_127519.asp


Switzerland Bans Catch-And-Release
"Blows to the head" required
posted May 8, 2008

Editor?s Note: Today's story comes to us from the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association.

Catch and Release fishing will be banned in Switzerland from next year, it was revealed this week.

And anglers in the country will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish, under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament.
The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument. Under the new regulations, the use of livebait and barbed hooks is also prohibited except in certain situations.

The laws come into effect in 2009 but while the Swiss government does not mention Catch and Release specifically, it does say that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish."

EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel has been in contact with Martin Peter, Vice President of the Swiss Angling Federation, to see whether a joint approach to the Swiss government could persuade them to amend the legislation - which forms part of a much wider animal welfare programme.

The law on the protection of animals was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2005 and officials have spent three years refining the details, taking into account the comments of interested parties.

Said Jan: "Catch and Release is one of the most difficult issues we have to deal with, and one of the most important in my opinion.
The new Swiss law doesn't make use of the term 'Catch and Release', which is the same as in Germany ? but I don't see how governments can enforce legislation which makes 'intent' illegal.

And demanding that people kill the fish they catch gives no thought to the conservation benefits from releasing them."

Angling Codes of Conduct with regards to proper handling and releases can be found for practically any fish species caught by anglers in Switzerland and the rest of the world. The new Swiss law makes it obligatory for anglers to take lessons before being granted a fishing license. So there is absolutely no need for an outright ban on the release of fish in Switzerland.?

It?s believed that the legislation could affect as many as 275,000 anglers in Switzerland, who generate around 30 million Euros in annual tackle sales.

EFTTA acting president, Pierangelo Zanetta, said: "EFTTA does not believe that forcing anglers to kill their catches is either good for nature or for recreational sport fishing - which makes a significant financial contribution to the EU economy.

Making the killing of fish obligatory will simply reduce fish population and, at the same time, run the risk of having a negative impact on sport fishing.

"Anglers and the sport of angling invest time and money to improve water quality and create larger and healthier fish populations. We believe is it far better for the fish if the fisherman decides, according to the situation, whether to keep and eat the fish or to release it."


Well, Maybe Buddy isn't too far off. Maybe those more enlightened have discovered a better way. . . . . . .

discuss. . . .

[Fly Tyer]

why the hell would you use a barbless hook if you intend to keep and kill the fish. Wouldnt be smarter to use a barb. That way the fish you intend to keep will at least be kept, and not lost. The chance of teh fish dying from comming off a barbless hook after a long fight is greater.

[DruLeeParsec]

Sounds like one of the stupidest rules I can image.

It makes no sense from a conservation standpoint. The only effect it will have is to kill off the sport of fishing. Maybe that's their real intention.

[Deezel]

why the hell would you use a barbless hook if you intend to keep and kill the fish. Wouldnt be smarter to use a barb. That way the fish you intend to keep will at least be kept, and not lost. The chance of teh fish dying from comming off a barbless hook after a long fight is greater.

Because barbless hooks are safer for you and anyone who might get hooked. There's a distinct advantage to getting a hook that's buried in your ______ (fill in the blank) out if it does not have a barb versus a hook that does. I don't know anything about that country's rationale but just MHO.

Deezel

[Eric D]

I read this article and the latest thread on whether C&R is cruel and have to wonder whats the world coming to?

[Eric-WD]

One thing that I haven't seen commented on, without catch and release there is no fishing beyond your limit. Two trout and your out, or what ever the limit is. With catch and release there is no limit unless you keep them.

How many people are going to drive hours each way to catch two trout or plan a vacation for an activity that would be over possibly in an hour. I suspect this will eliminate sport fishing which is their ultimate goal.


Eric

[Arkansastroutbum]

Do you get a ticket? Unbelievable....

[Big Bad Wulff]

Can anyone explain:

"humane methods of catching fish" AND

"immediate killing of the fish"

Aren't those almost mutually exclusive?

[spinner1]

this ruling is not so much a animal rights thing

It is old versus new opinions.

The old regime still rules fishing over there.


The old way rules there.

[pdowney]

I read this article and the latest thread on whether C&R is cruel and have to wonder whats the world coming to?

The discussion of C&R on this board is a good thing. Concern over how we treat Nature is a good thing. However, the radical PETA's et al intend to do away w/ fishing in the name of concern for Nature. Like one of the above just pointed out, nobody is going to spend $$$$ and time on their hobby if all they get to do is catch 2 fish and go home. The Swiss rule will end fishing there, and all the conservation that results from it, or at least it would here. Like it or not, those agendas are out there, and one needs to be familiar w/ the arguments and to have thought about it so that if (when?) we have to face the same we can be ready w/ rational argument.

Jamming a hook in an animal's mouth and letting it run around on a string is cruel (that is the "catch" part of C&R) whether it be a fish or a bunny. How do we justify that? Think about it. Figure it it out. Be ready.

The tailwaters are still too high to wade fish down here in Ark. So my buddy and I went out on Sat and were cruel to about 40 smallmouth/spotted/largemouth bass plus countless "goggleye" and rock bass. C&R'd many of them and had some (a lot) for supper.

It was wonderful.