catch and release

[bigboy]

Infact it was done this year shanook. This year an incentive was given out to all those who opted not to do any fishing in the two months that the swordfish season was closed. The problem is that the season was still opened early and 2 months were not enough. In my opinion the season should be closed from 1st October to 1 April. Like that the fish are given ample time to reproduce and to grow up.

[lazyfisherman]

When discussing fish sizes it is also important to keep in mind the reproductive strategy of the species concerned. Many species of fish, including the amberjack and the bluefin tuna produce millions of eggs per mature female in a season. Obviously only a proportion of these are fertilised and will eventually hatch into juvenules. However in most species of fish, including the two examples above there is a huge natural wastage of juveniles. This means that, even if the fish are not caught, only a very, very tiny percentage of fish that hatch will ever reach sexual maturity. Most will die or be eaten by other fish when still very young. So in most cases it is erroneous to think that because a small fish is released it will manage to reach maturity. In most cases it will not. Of course it is equally true that if most of the juveniles are caught when very young it will definitely result in less breeding adults, declining stocks and less future catches.

If we take the position that all fish below reproductive age should be released we might as well forget our lampuki fishing industry which is based exclusively on the capture of juvenile fish. After all I wonder how many people would enjoy eating mature 10 kg or so lampuki as much as they do with the smaller fish that are caught locally. Of course this is not a post against catch and release - far from it. I believe that recreational fishermen should be responsible and only keep what they and their immediate family intend to consume.

However I think that there is nothing wrong in taking home a couple of freshly caught cervjol for consumption, even though these may be relatively small. After all not not everybody has the knowhow, boat, equipment or even the desire to go after the large amberjacks and taking home a couple of cervjol should not threaten the species concerned.

[caldaland]

lazyfisherman,you talk sense and i agree with you in general but,i must correct you on the fish called "lampuki".this species is about the only fish that the larger it gets, the tastier it becomes.maybe it is bacause it holds the record of being the fastest growing fish known to science. actually,for a period of time it doubles its own weight!

[lazyfisherman]

You may well be right - however I do know people who enjoy the smaller lampuki caught early on in the season while the larger ones caught later (2kg fish or so) are exclusively used for pies. In my case I enjoy them the same at all times and sizes but then I enjoy all sorts of fish - including the humble xilpa and sawrella

[robby017]

best eating puki are the half kg to 1 kg ones....... the rest go into sauces and pies...... in my opinion....... but the best are the small ones fried or bbq...... yum yum 

[malvizzu]

I agree the lazyfisherman. The best lampuki for frying are the small ones. The bigger ones we only do for pies. And that's the opinion I hear from many people when I'm shopping for lampuki. I still have to catch some myself but always without luck

[shanook]

the difference with lampuki is whether they have been caught in nets or by Konz/rixa. The lampuki caught by Konz/rixa and taken care of that is stored on their back of course cooled not as I have seen many times dried up in the sun, are the best you can eat. the lampuki caught by nets are in my opinion good for pies as their meat is squashed and they taste very oily.
In Gozo u buy lampuki caught by konz/rixa at a much higher price than the ones caught by nets.
Most of fish caught are not properly taken care of and they lose their taste. Another example is tumbrell....... I know its has a particular taste but if when caught u hit it on the front face and let it bleed it will taste a LOT better, oh and of course chill it not just let it stand in a bucket (because its a cold day.......it doesnt mean u dont chill it)

[camkev]

I always keep what's good to eat...before i used to give fish to friends as well but not anymore.Last summer i was at a place and i released over 50 kahli(not very big) and a lot of bottom fish.People came to me and told me are you crazy why are you throwing all the fish back to the sea!!Before i used to catch small bottom fish,leave them in bags in the freezer for months and then throw everything away or give them to friends.Now i only keep occasionaly or when the wife wants a plate of aljotta!!...Mind you the big fish..which i dont catch much  i dont throw away or release!!

[shanook]

dik l'accola li qbad bil jigging ma harrabtiex hux ja gidmejmun li inti........

U didnt release that large amberjack eh

[camkev]

@ Shanook..gidmejmun what does it mean  

[shanook]

gidmejmun jew furban jew makak jew Hax...ixu...imma mhux bil hsieb hazin, imma bil Hbiberija........espressjoni antika.

[caldaland]

in-nanniet kienu jighdu lit-tfal gidmejmun! lol! tfisser xitan zghir izda bmod cajtier! tfisser wiehed imqareb.