Biodegradable fishing hooks & lines

[Verena | Marine Biology]

Dear all,

I need some advice on fishing hooks!

Not being an expert on this on my own, I was wondering what's the "best" - in the context of sunset fishing in the resort, which cannot be stopped - fishing hooks to use?

Google tells me there's a patent on biodegradable fishing hooks. Does anyone have experience with this?

I also think I remember during our first & only national marine biologist's meeting in 2009 Guy talking about a certain shape of hooks that should be used?

I would be grateful if you could share your experiences with me and also where to buy the stuff, since I am having a chance to exchange the traditional fishing hooks with biodegradable ones, if available and somehow affordable. As I said, this is primarily for sunset reef fishing, not for big game fishing. I'm also reading about fishing lines made out of biodegradable polymer?

Thanks!

Verena

Verena Wiesbauer Ali, M.Sc.
Marine Biologist / Zoologist
Reef restoration & rehabilitation
EIA Consultant: EIA 18/11
<°))))><

[Norman Quinn]

The quest to become a responsible catch-and-release fisherman starts
with the kind of tackle you use. There are two ways to attract a fish.
One is with bait¬, and the other is with a lure. Bait can be anything
from an invertebrate to small fish. Lures come in all shapes and
sizes, but they usually look like a small fish and have multiple
hooks. Some lures don't look like fish, but simulate attractive
movement with shiny spinning metal spoons. Bait is more likely to
cause a gill or stomach hook.
Treble hooks, which have three prongs, are more likely to puncture and
wound the fish as well. Many lures come with treble hooks, but you can
replace them with single hooks. They even get through the water easier
that way.
There two basic types of single-pronged hook -- J-hooks and circle
hooks. J-hooks look like a letter 'J.' Circle hooks have a similar
shape, but the bottom of the 'J' is typically wider, and the point
comes around more toward the stem instead of straight up. Using circle
hooks is less likely to result in deep hooking. For each, you also
have the option for tiny metal barbs along the metal. Barbed hooks are
tougher to get from a fish's mouth. You can speed up the time it takes
to remove a hook by only using barbless hooks or crimping the barbs
with some pliers. It's also important to buy hooks that are
appropriately sized for the fish you're trying to catch. If the hook
is too large it can do more damage. A strong line also helps to get
the fish in quickly.

So you've got your barbless circle hook, and you're using a lure
instead of bait. The fish hits your line, and it's time to land it.
Bring the fish in quickly and efficiently using a steady and
deliberate technique. If you are fishing for benthic fish in deep
waters you are likely to retrieve a fish with a distended stomach.
People commonly identify it as an air bladder, but for many fish it is
the stomach.
You should never pull the fish from the water using the line. If you
need to pull it onboard do it with your hands or a net. If you use a
net, use one made of knotless cotton mesh or rubber that's less likely
to harm the slime layer. Some fishermen don't advocate the use of a
net at all. Best to keep the fish in the water and remove the hook
their. Most likely someone will want a photo before you release the
fish.

I hope this helps.
Norman

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Norman Quinn

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[Verena | Marine Biology]

Dear Norman and all,

That's so much of interesting information for me as a non-fisherwoman; however, we're not practicing catch-and-release unless the fish on the hook can't be eaten or is too small. In Maldives, fish is needed by the resorts anyway in large quantities so I think it makes more sense to keep it once landed and wounded, rather than throwing it back and buying them again from the market or fishermen.

The question is what happens if you can't get the hook out of the fish, e.g. if you've got a shark or moray on the line? If there's no other choice than to cut off the line for whatever reason... it happens often!

That's why we're interested in biodegradable hooks that corrode much faster than the standard hooks. I read something like 2 weeks once it comes in contact with water?

Cheers,

Verena <*))))><

sent from my iPad