I'm more concerned about keeping the fish on after he's hooked. As I pointed out earlier, with some species, it's just not possible to keep a tight line all the time. And what about the research that has been done that shows that barbless hooks make diddly and squat difference? The overwhelming factor in fish mortality is if bait was used or not. Fish hooked on lures tend to get hooked in the lip or other non-vital spot, whereals when bait is used, the fish is more likely to swallow the hook and be mortally wounded. I suppose to protect the resource we should outlaw bait too? That would make a lot more difference in 'protecting the resource.' Mandating barbless hooks for all species is just silly and pointless.