Swiss To Ban Catch-and-release Fishing!

[flyfishmaster]

I saw this article and thought I would share it about how the Swiss goverment is going to Ban Catch-and-Release of all fish.

Here is the link to the article: Swiss to Ban Catch-and-Release

Here it is article:

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."

What are your thoughts?

Later,

FFM

[Kayser]

From almost all standpoints- especially economical- this makes absolutely no sense. As was mentioned, anglers put in a lot of time and money to improve fishing opportunities, and banning Catch and Release will probably scare a lot of people away from the sport. Also, where do conservation ethics come into play? This is almost as bad as shooting themselves in the foot, and for what, to protect a few fish that get mishandled? If everyone is required to take a class, then why can't proper C&R techniques be taught during that? This just seems like they're shooting themselves in the foot.

Rob

[gonefishin]

Looks to me like they are trying to improve their fishery for food. I don't think there is any way to deny that if the fish are less molested, especially during the spawn and fall run, there are going to be more and bigger fish. By having a catch and keep only law they can calculate the annual fishery loss, there is no way to calculate the loss if there are millions of people practicing catch and release. I agree that catch and release fishermen don't kill many fish they actually catch, I think the question is how to calculate the loss caused by C&R during the spawn and the fall when DOs are low. Anyway just a thought.

[jjtroutbum]

I think this is the future of PETA type groups. Takes the sport out of fishing and requires consumption of fish caught. This will may ultimately kill the heritage of this wonderful sport and and its future there.

[bclift65706]

in a few years their wont be mutch to calculate if its catch and keep thats the crazyest thing I have ever read. can you imagin keeping 6 in bass 3 in crappie what would you do with them. (here have some crappie nuggets I tenderised them with my hammer when I killed them) I guess the Swiss are nuts 2

[taxidermist]

It is part of PETA. Germany did that a few years back. But you also have to understand in Europe you take a year of classes before you can get a license to fish, then you have to have a card to fish that water for that day.

My German firends say the samething that the law is in hopes of getting people to quit fishing.

There are few game wardens to enforce any laws in Europe, so the enforcement is laid upon the people who fish for the most part.

The law is one of those that is left to "Who will enforce it."

[jscheetz]

hehehehehehehe

I don't think there is any way to deny that if the fish are less molested, especially during the spawn and fall run, there are going to be more and bigger fish.

That is beautiful GF!!! If someone would have shown me that quote and asked who it was from - I bet you 10 to 1 I would have guessed my bud GF!!!

And it is true that C&R - or "molesting" as you call it can interrupt and mess with fish during the fall run - However, not nearly as much as Hanging one on your wall I would think. Cause taking them home and frying them up does make it hard to have "more and bigger".

JS "Fish molestor"

[skeeter]

Hey I'm a little bit Swiss ( hate to admit ) and this positively sucks ! Aren't these the same people who kept all the gold and valuables the Nazi's stole during WWII and were just forced into returning ? What does that say about these people and their government ?

[JobyKSU]

What does that say about these people and their government ?

Well, it says that there are certain individuals or corporations who will take advantage of a situation for their own gain, and they might have enough power to affect their legal system.

Whew! Good thing that doesn't happen here!

[gonefishin]

HEh heh. Didn't mean to stir anyone up and I am sorry my terminology bothered you JS. I just thought they might be doing their best to re-build their fishery. Sorry I had a thought.

Just for the record JS, I release far and away a lot more fish than I keep. The thing is I don't like being looked down on by 'Catch and Release Fishermen' just because I decide to keep a fish once in a while. I don't believe in turning a fish back that is obviously going to die just so I can say 'see I am a catch and release fisherman'. I also don't believe in ripping fish off the nest during the spawn just so I can be in a tournament. How many millions of fry are killed by people who do that? I also do not fish when the D.O. drops low; I figure why kill a fish just so I can be cool and practice 'catch and release'. Sorry if that makes you breathe hard but I figure I am a better steward of the fishery than you are. You need come out of your mystical mythical land and join the real world once in a while.