Learning and following the best practices when fishing is an essential part of ethical angling, and protecting fish is an important aspect of Bhutan's recreational fishing program.
Best handling practices are a critical part of any catch-and-release fishing program. Just releasing a fish doesn't guarantee its survival. When caught, each fish has to be handled carefully to reduce stress and/or injury. The goal is to release a fish so it can continue to live and reproduce normally.
One of the most important aspects of Bhutan's recreational fishing program is that it is requires catch-and-release fishing only. All anglers with a recreational fishing license must release all species of fish after capture as quickly and safely as possible.
If a fish has been heavily stressed or handled poorly, its ability to recover, avoid predators, reproduce, or even just survive may be compromised.
That is why ethical anglers across the world learn and use best handling practices when fishing.
WHAT CAN ANGLERS DO TO KEEP RELEASED FISH HEALTHY?
LIMIT AIR EXPOSURE
Fish are meant to be in the water. Too much time out of water and exposure to air causes gill filaments to collapse and stick together. This damage is long-term, and even though the fish may swim away, its decreased ability to obtain oxygen from the water will negatively affect the life of the fish.
Reduce exposure to air as much as possible. The best way to do that is to keep fish in the water.
It is fine to take photos, but the fish should ONLY be held out of water for the time it takes to take one photo, so it will ALWAYS be dripping wet with water.
LIMIT AIR EXPOSURE TO 15 SECONDS
HANDLING FISH
There are three important things to remember when handling fish:
- Protect the gills - damaged gills can shorten the life of a fish. Keep hands (and anything else), away from the gills.
- Protect the mucus layer - all fish have a mucus layer that serves as its line of defense against harmful germs. This mucus layer is removed by dry hands, dry clothing, or anything that rubs against the body of a fish. Always keep your hands wet when holding a fish.
- Support the fish - No matter the size, when a fish is out of the water it needs to be held properly to support its body and organs.
The photo on the right shows how a fish should be held. In this photo, the angler’s hands are wet, away from the gills, the body of the fish is supported, and the fish is dripping with water.
POOR HANDLING
BEST PRACTICES FOR FISHING GEAR
SINGLE BARBLESS HOOKS
Hooks without a barb (barbless) cause less injury to the fish. Only single barbless hooks can be used in Bhutan for recreational fishing.
NO LIVE OR DEAD BAIT ALLOWED
Using bait (alive or dead) on hooks may be a common practice when fishing, but because fish tend to swallow baited hooks more deeply, making hook removal very difficult and causing damage to the fish, the use of bait for fishing is prohibited throughout Bhutan.
USE NETS AND CRADLES
All guides and anglers should have a landing net (for trout) or a landing cradle (for Mahseer). Why is this important?
- Helps in landing the fish quickly
- For large fish, such as mahseer, it makes handling a fish much easier
- Prevents fish from thrashing and makes hook removal easier
- Keeps the fish wet and in the water
- Easier to prepare for that great photo
REMOVING HOOKS
Barbless hooks can be easily removed from the mouthof a fish. In many cases, once a fish in the landing net, the hook will slide out on its own.
It is best to have a pair of small pliers or hemostats ready just in case one is needed to remove a hook.
Sometimes a fish is hooked more deeply, down the throat (gullet) or the hook is in the gills. In either of these cases it is often be better to cut the line, release the fish, and let the hook come out by itself.
KEEP BHUTAN'S RIVERS CLEAN
Anglers that come to Bhutan are here to experience its amazing rivers. They do not want to see trash. In addition - some trash items, such as rubber bands or soft plastic - can be mistaken as potential food items and can be swallowed by fish and birds.
Never leave any litter behind. If you walk to a fishing spot, carry out everything you carry in. This includes fishing line, food wrappers, empty water bottles, and plastic bags.
Be a good river guardian and pick up litter left behind by others!
KNOW AND FOLLOW THE REGULATIONS
Fishing laws are meant to protect the resource and make sure there is good fishing to be shared by everyone. If you fish, it is your responsibility to know the rules and regulations. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Fishing is a wonderful privilege; obeying fishing regulations is the responsibility that goes with it.
Bhutan is a country steeped in showing respect for all life. All anglers in Bhutan should follow best fishing practices as their way of respecting the health of the fish by being sure all fish are healthy when released.
Download more information on best handling practices for fishing in Bhutan here:
Or click on the links below to learn more about recreational fishing in Bhutan.
Credits:
Created with images by bravissimos - "Fishing concept, hook with bait and float, fish isolated on white" • boophuket - "The problem of trash on the beach caused by man-made pollution and environmental in concept"