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Beginning June 1, fishermen will be required to possess and use certain fishing gear while fishing reefs in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Marine Fisheries Service approved Reef Amendment 27/14 in February with the goals of implementing long-term measures to end over-fishing in the Gulf’s red snapper fishery as well as reduce, by-catch and release, mortality of reef fish that are caught and not kept.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has also approved these measures to maintain consistency with the federal management plan and protect the red snapper and reef-associated fisheries.

In addition to rules that will place restrictions on the size and number of red snapper that commercial and recreational fishermen can keep, the amendment will require all vessels targeting Gulf reef fish to have on board and use non-stainless circle hooks when using natural baits, dehooking devices, and venting tools. When used properly, these tools have been shown to help reef fish such as snapper and grouper survive after being released.

Any angler using natural baits will be required to use non-stainless circle hooks. Research has shown that circle hooks tend to hook fish in the corner of the mouth instead of the esophagus or stomach, thus increasing post-release survival rates. Non-stainless hooks were decided upon because they deteriorate over time and help reduce further damage to fish.

Although they won’t be required for federal waters (9 miles and out) FWC announced that anglers in Florida waters will be required to use non-offset circle hooks as opposed to off-set hooks. Off-set refers to the angle of sideways bending of the end of the hook in relation to the hook shank. There are some research studies that show the greater the degree of offset, the greater the chance of harming a hooked fish.

According to the new rules “natural” baits include any bait derived from a living organism, either dead or alive. Examples of natural bait include sardines, pinfish and shrimp, and cut and frozen fish, shrimp and squid. Soft plastic baits embedded with fish or shrimp scent are not considered natural baits.

At least one dehooking device will be required on each vessel to remove hooks embedded in reef fish. Dehooking devices allow for quicker and safer hook removal and reduces the risk of a hook re-engaging during the removal process. They also minimize injuries to both the fish and angler by reducing the need to handle the fish.

According to a spokeswoman with FWC, the dehooking device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. It must be blunt and all edges rounded, and it must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fish fishery.

Several types of dehooking devices are available for sale online, at local tackle shops and retail stores. Allowable dehooking devices include tools with a long shaft with an inverted-V, blunt nose pliers, alligator pliers, and dehooking forceps. Knives, screwdrivers, and sharp-nosed wire cutters or pliers are not allowed.

Keep in mind if a hook gets deeply embedded in a fish, it may be safer to cut the line as close as possible to the hook as opposed to trying to remove the hook with a dehooking device. A recommended rule of thumb is if you cannot see the hook, then you should cut the line. Some dehooking tools, however such as the ARC Dehooker are designed to remove deeply-swallowed hooks.

Finally, Gulf anglers will be required to use venting tools to minimize impacts on reef fish with ruptured swim bladders. Many reef fish have a gas-filled swim bladder that helps them maintain their buoyancy at a certain depths. The swim bladder can over expand and rupture when brought from depth using hook and line. As a result the escaped gas is trapped in the fish’s body cavity. Releasing a fish in this condition prevents it from returning to depth and exposes it to predators and the elements.

A venting tool is used to release the trapped gas from a reef fish’s ruptured bladder. It is a hollow, sharpened instrument such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed. Ice picks and knives are not acceptable because simply puncturing the fish is undesirable and can result in a further injury.

Not all reef fish will need to be vented. Research indicates venting is most beneficial for fish brought up from depths of fifty feet or more. Typical signs that venting is necessary include the stomach or intestines sticking out of the body in addition to the fish being bloated and not able to swim on its own.

To properly vent a fish lay the fish on its side and insert the venting tool at a 45 degree angle one to two inches behind the pectoral fin. Only insert it deep enough to help deflate the fish and avoid its internal organs. You will be able to hear the air escape.

With more stringent state and federal reef fishing regulations on the way, the need for responsible individual actions is more important than ever. Although catch and release angling has proven to be a valuable conservation tool, the effectiveness of fisheries management is diminished if fish do not survive after being released.

If anglers are not already familiar with the use of circle hooks, dehooking devices, and venting tools, take the time to learn how to use them and why they are important to the health of our fisheries. Check with local tackle shops for advice on the appropriate equipment to use. To learn more about these conservation tools and other sustainable angling practices contact the Collier County Sea Grant Extension Agent at 417-6310 x225 or visit http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu/SeaGrant/Anglers.shtml.

To learn more about Reef Amendment 27/14, visit the NOAA Fisheries Service Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/RedSnapper/Amendment_27_14.htm.