Posted by Brad on February 20, 2004 at 08:08:03:
In Reply to: Re: Boat limits not for spearo's posted by Harry on February 20, 2004 at 07:28:00:
Fish are among the most delicate creatures on earth. They never experience gravity in their natural environment. When they are lifted out of the water the connective tissue between the organs is stretched and tiny fissures occure which lead to internal bleding. As fish do not have very much blood to begin with, any blood loss is a threat to survival. Fish with pronounced swim bladders like the Giant Sea bass and the White Sea Bass are particularily sensitive to being lifted out of the water.
Because a WSB swims away after it is released does not indicate that the fish will survive the trauma. The simple act of lifting the fish out of the water immediately after its 'death' struggle (oxygen depleted) is more often than not enough to kill that fish.
If the DFG or commission were really interested in the long term health of the WSB, common sense dictates that there would be no-take allowed during the critical spawning months and a 1 fish limit the rest of the year. That is the right thing to do. That change would also have the effect of heightening the appreciation of those beautiful fish.