Damo,
The report by Brian ( I don't talk to rec anglers ) Williams is a tad misleading.
Firstly, there is a photo of a 20plus kilo South Australian Snapper in the background... why ? Sensationalist Media Reporting...!!!!!
Secondly, Wayne Sumpton has been researching snapper form many many years with Southern Fisheries, dased at Deception Bay. He is quite knowledgeable in this area and is only trying to get across a message to the C & R guys about the best methods of release.
Deep water Snapper mortality is about 50% from last report I have seen, so in effect Wayne is pro-porting a " best practice " for those that want to release a Snapper.
He is eluding to pulling up the fish from the deep at a slower pace than normal ( skull dragging ), as this will aid the return to the depths with the least amount of Barotrauma.
Usually in areas where you catch Snapper, sharks are not a problem, thus allowing you to retrieve a fish without fear of the taxman taking his share. But then again, that is simply nature at work.
Cheers LP.
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