Fishsaverpro

Lets look at the Elephant in the Room
The use of descending devices or release weights as we know them here in Aus.
5 years ago when I looked at the waste from non keepers (by catch) thrown back off boats and I believed there has to be a better way.
I could find little real data or research here in Aus so I turned to the USA
One of the biggest issues I had was proof of concept and that was does descending fish work?
This was a major debate until 2021 when Florida launched a massive research program that grew from a $30 million grant paid by BP on how to recover from the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill which decimated fish stocks and spawn.
This research on descending fish brought it home when NOAA released their Technical report-California Recreational Rockfish Information.
When released with a descending device, Quillback, Copper, Vermilion and Sunset rockfish, and other similar demersal rockfish species have an estimated 91% survival rate if caught and released at depths shallower than 60 metres (180 feet or 30 fathoms); a 70% survival rate if caught and released at depths shallower than 100 metres (300 feet or 50 fathoms); and a 62% survival rate if caught and released at depths shallower than 200 metres (600 feet or 100 fathoms).

Our Australian release weight was a great prototype but really 30 years on its pretty primative and we developed fishsaverpro- a hook device with a large weight clip which meant you didnt have to travel with the weight attached and could adjust the amount of weight quickly (Our experience is you only need around 20% of the fishes weight to get it back down.)
You had 2 attachment points so could also attach a length of leader and hang it upside down to lower fish down for use off high boats.
I ask you to watch the video done by Professor Drymon from MSU and Return em Right on predation on fishes returned on descending devices.
In this study they filmed 988 descents and it showed less than 1 % predation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XgEBZTxhmA
The gulf of mexico has as big a shark problem as us in Australia so this is real data.
By the way if anyone wants to get a fishsaverpro device they are available on line through Amazon for less than a normal lure and if thats too much make your own but the real principle here is we need to take a leaf out of the USA's book in handling the return of non keeper fish better so lets descend them and save them for another day.

After The Return: The Professor ft. Dr. Marcus Drymon (Part IV) In 2021, Return 'Em Right began its mission to address the devastating impact of release mortality from barotrauma in reef fish. Three years later, Return 'E...

So many fishermen just throw their by catch overboard and teach the sharks and porpoises that they are feed trucks.
Some may say that descending doesnt work and only feeds sharks.
Watch this video from Professor Drymon of MSU.
We need to rethink what we are doing.
Frank Prokop developed a release weight and promoted it in Western Australia but there were questions on if it worked or not and it was really basic.
Research shows fish descending works with high recovery and low depredation from sharks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XgEBZTxhmA
Filmed descents show high recovery and low predation.
Over 18000 fishsaverpros sold in the USA with over 500 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings.
Available on amazon both in the USA and in Aus..
Lets do the right thing and release em right.

After The Return: The Professor ft. Dr. Marcus Drymon (Part IV) In 2021, Return 'Em Right began its mission to address the devastating impact of release mortality from barotrauma in reef fish. Three years later, Return 'E...

Great video from Nick Haddad from return em right who are part of Seagrant in Florida.
There are advantages with the inverted hook device as pointed out.
Fishsaver pro with a large weight clip makes it easy to send any size fish to any depth without having to do unnecesary heavy lifting when recovering the device.
Return em right are doing great work in saving by catch that are suffering from Barotrauma.
If you want a quick cost effective high quality rig get a fishsaverpro descending device..... Available on Amazon in both USA and Australia https://www.instagram.com/p/DFIp5eROznx

Whether you prefer venting or descending, there are a variety of commercially available tools to help improve survival of fish for whatever situation you are in. Be sure to understand the pros and cons of each tool so you are best suited to successfully release fish before they hit the deck! #ReturnEmRight #EarnAnotherFight . . . #barotrauma #release #fishing #offshorefishing #venting #descendingdevice #fisheries #science #physics #lovetofish #grouper #snapper #conservation #ethicalangling

Something important
All VICTORIA anglers be aware there was a petition started to complain about the reduction of fisheries officers.
I knew they would reject this as I had the council do the same thing to me.
So calling all Vic anglers and boaters please read sign and support lkeeping these guys on the ground.

Closure of fisheries stations in Metro Melbourne - Petitions - Parliament of Victoria Take a look at some other petitions related to causes you care about. There are many passionate individuals just like you who are working towards positive change. Signing more petitions and sharing them with your friends and family can help bring attention to important issues and create lasting impa...

Queensland Australia.....Making it simple to understand...Thanks Bush 'n Beach for the post.
Certain the "Nanny state"fraternity will kick back but if it saves one life and some of the massive expenditure in futile search and rescue operations its worthwhile.
Sure there are some down sides but in my view the upside is bigger for us as mariners.