Do you fish for Atlantic salmon? If so, the Atlantic Salmon Federation wants to learn your thoughts on catch-and-release angling for wild Atlantics. The ASF is currently conducting a survey on the practice for anglers in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

The survey, which can be completed or downloaded from a special ASF Web site, includes questions such as:

• Do you think the practice of live release angling is an important contribution by anglers towards conservation of wild Atlantic salmon?
• Do you voluntarily release salmon and grilse that the law allows you to retain?
• Are you confident that you are able to release angled fish safely to maximize their survival?
• Would you be more inclined to purchase a live release license if it were to be offered at a lower cost than a regular license?
• Barbless hooks are easier to remove from angled fish and they do less damage to young salmon (parr and smolt) that might inadvertently be caught. Should they be required in all provinces?
• Should non-resident (out of province and out of country) anglers be restricted to live release fishing?

Responses can be anonymous, but if a name and address is included, the respondent will be placed in a draw for a $375 limited-editon print—”Restigouche Evening”—by renowned New Brunswick artist although Bruno Bobak. The survey must be completed by April 15 to qualify for the draw.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 8th, 2010 at 12:51 pm and is filed under Associations, Conservation, Fishing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.