This letter u r about to read was sent to the florida fish and game by me and attached is their reply.<br /><br /> As an avid angler, I wonder,do the people that make these rules,fish at <br />all? I resently went snapper fishing for the first time in my life in <br />100'of water. Have they ever seen a fish reeled up from that depth? He is <br />dead. I put one in our live well and he never recovered. So if you catch <br />a hundred small ones to finally catch the one you can keep what is the <br />point? Maybe they just don't want us to have to clean them.<br /><br /> Releasing reef fish may require special handling to decrease mortality. <br />When reef fish are brought quickly to the surface from water more than <br />70 feet deep, the gases in their swim bladder expand, often rupturing <br />the swim bladder. This will be visible--the stomach of the fish is <br />pushed out of the mouth. Researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory have found <br />that ruptured swim bladders of snappers and groupers become functional <br />within four days after the release and heal within two weeks.<br />Venting may increase the survival rate of reef fish that are released. <br />Proper use of a venting tool can improve the fish's chances of survival <br />by allowing it to return to the bottom quickly.<br />Once it has been determined that a fish needs venting, insert a venting <br />tool or large-gauge hypodermic needle at a 45 degree angle at the base <br />of the pectoral fin. Only insert the needle far enough to release the <br />trapped gas. A deep puncture can harm the internal organs. If a fish <br />is extremely bloated, use a free hand to exert gentle pressure to the <br />fish's abdomen to aid deflation. Venting tools and instructions are <br />available from the Florida Sea Grant Extension Program.<br />If you send me your mailing address, I will send you a copy of our <br />brochure "Release Techniques for Marine Fishes." I can also send you a <br />copy of our magazine Fishing Lines which has great articles like "Catch <br />and Release Builds Fisheries" and "Managing for the Future." <br />Thank you for your comments, and if you have any further questions, <br />please let me know.
