Happy Returns
“New school” technology contributes to a healthy, sustainable fishery when Capt. Justin Leake heads offshore on a late season red snapper run. Also onboard is Nick Haddad of Return ‘Em Right, an organization dedicated to reducing catch and release mortality in recreational reef fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Part of being a good fisherman is not only knowing how to catch fish but also learning how to release them properly, too,” says Haddad.
Fish caught in deep water often experience barotrauma, a pressure-related injury caused when gases in the fish’s body cavity and internal organs expand, displacing the organs and leaving the fish severely bloated and unable to return to depth. According to Haddad, discard mortality kills millions of reef fish each year and adopting best release practices can significantly improve the survival rate of released reef fish.
“Real outdoorsmen are conservationists and they take measures to protect the fish they release so we can catch them another day,” says Capt. Leake.
After Justin and Nick settle over a reef in 100 feet of water, it doesn’t take long to accomplish the so-called “snapper slam” by reeling in red, mangrove, lane and vermilion snappers. Regulation-sized fish go in the cooler while those below the legal limit are sent back to the bottom with one of Return ‘Em Right’s descending devices. As the rig sinks deeper, water rushes over the fish’s gills and the gases that expanded on the way to the surface re-compress to their natural state, allowing the fish to safely return to the structure it calls home.
“The whole system is set up to be easy,” says Justin. “Once you use it a couple of time, you see how quick and easy it is and that’s going to make us more efficient and help us catch more fish.”
Anglers can get a free descending device at https://returnemright.org/.
Also, we take a trip down memory lane and learn the history of Shell Island, a pristine barrier island whose natural beauty has captivated visitors for generations.