Do released fish count toward quota?

[cougfan]

We asked ourselves this question out at the Docks in Seiku this weekend when all the checkers asked us how many fish we released. So, yesterday I called and talked to the biologist for that area who told me they don't count toward the current Quota but that they use the information for the ESA report. He felt there is a misinformed belief that these count but that they definately don't. For the ESA report he said they use a mortality figure of, I believe, 15% for Juvenile fish and 10% for adults. I didn't ask further how this effects the future quotas but since those are based on an estimated return I'm sure it figures in there somewhere.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Yes they do count against the quota because they figure that there is a certain percentage of fish mortality associated with a released fish.

[cougfan]

That misconception is exactly what he said isn't true. He said mortality is only used in the ESA report and is in no way used to count toward quota. I'll have to admit that I do wonder.

[wthr4d]

the release doesnt count towards THIS YEARS quota, BUT it does factor into NEXT years quota. they figure out how many fish they think are in the water by population density and then adjust for mortality (the only known mortality is the 10% of released fish, the rest is best guess based on weather and predatory conditions)and from that they derive our alotted quota. that is a very basic description with many steps left out. so yes an acurate count of released fish is important and falsifying data to try to improve our quota will only hurt us when they get real numbers later.

Paul

[Fishinnut]

Sorry but he is wrong. That is why they assign a mortality rate and it is so touchy. If the mortality rate is 15%, then for every 100 fish released 15 are counted into the quota. I sit in many WDFW meetings and that is exactly what it is for. It is funny how many WDFW will have different answers for the same question.

[Miss B Haven]

Look at it this way- if release on Natives is really LOW.....then you have to assume there aren't any and it can shut down the season. Tell the truth and let the bio's figure out the right thing to do! Whether you lose a day or gain a day (or fish), you'll be a better sportsman either way (and a happier person and maybe not go to fishing HE double L ) in the long run.