North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

It's not helpful that the Qld and NT Governments are putting out very different advice.

NT Fisheries advice is more like "almost all snapper caught in depths exceeding ten metres will die after release, irrespective of the release method due to damage to internal organs", and they have video and autopsy evidence to prove it.

You've gotta go with the local advice, based on local studies methinks.

Cheers

Nt Fisheries have it right Trev and I've done a fair bit of research . I even tried the cage release method on Golden snapper and Jew , No survivor's unfortunately . But there are many species that will release if done correctly as in the QLD vid .

NT video ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-1n4YZNaSY

Yes, once those organs are crushed on the way up its probably too late.

WA was also pushing a drop-and-release method.

My experience is with East coast Coral trout, if under 10-12M depth and the air bubbles weren't in their gills, you can successfully de-air and return. Over about 15M if they are bought up fast, or there is any air bubbles in the gills, next to no chance of them surviving.

You also need to be very careful and not let out too much air or they return to depth and the gut cavity is compressed. Takes a long time for them to re-stabilize.

Nt already have commuted to mo size limits so right or wrong that's the deal