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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(5)

Effects of hooking damage and hook type on post-release survival of sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis)

Jeremy M. Lyle A E , Natalie A. Moltschaniwskyj B , Alastair J. Morton A , Ian W. Brown C and David Mayer D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Marine Research Laboratories, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 49, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B School of Aquaculture, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 1370, Launceston, Tas. 7250, Australia.

C Southern Fisheries Centre, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, PO Box 76, Deception Bay, Qld 4508, Australia.

D Animal Research Institute, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, 665 Fairfield Road, Yeerongpilly, Qld 4105, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: jeremy.lyle@utas.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(5) 445-453 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF06233
Submitted: 4 December 2006  Accepted: 20 February 2007   Published: 17 May 2007

Abstract

This study examined post-release survival in sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) and whether there were survival benefits from the use of circle hooks over conventional hook patterns. Anatomical hooking location was the major factor contributing to mortality, with an almost 100% survival rate for fish hooked in the lip, mouth or eye (shallow-hooked) compared with around 64% for fish hooked in the throat or gut (deep-hooked). Mortality in deep-hooked fish was generally associated with injuries to vital organs (gills, heart, liver) and survival was significantly lower if bleeding was associated with injury (54% compared with 85% for non-bleeders). Circle hooks resulted in significantly lower deep-hooking rates (1%) compared with conventional hook types (4–9%) and, based on catch rates, were at least as effective as conventional hook patterns. Estimated survival rates for line-caught sand flathead were high, over 99% for circle hooks and between 94 and 97% for conventional hooks. These findings support the efficacy of management strategies based on size and bag limits and the practice of catch-and-release fishing for sand flathead, as well as a potential conservation benefit from the use of circle hooks.

Additional keywords: bait fishing, circle hooks, conventional hooks, deep hooking, hooking injury, hooking mortality, recreational fishing in Tasmania.


Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the anglers who willingly participated in the fishing trials and/or provided information about their fishing activities, in particular Nick Crawford, Graeme Ewing, Aidan Lyle, Francisco Neira, Sean Tracey, Dirk Welsford and Don Welsford. Bill Sawynok provided valuable advice and input into the scope of the study and assisted in the communication of findings to the recreational fishing sector through the National Strategy for the Survival of Released Line Caught Fish. This study was supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC Project 2004/071).


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