as far as a test... I dont think that would work because you can bs your way through that test and say what you want but it is not a matter of knowing what you are doing. It is a character issue, and not one that a simple test is going to change.

Here is my experience. Through the years I have seen just about every type of bs treatment of the fish before release that is possible. From people netting them, keeping them in the boat for a couple minutes and then chucking them over the side, to people beaching fish and getting sand all over them and then releasing them.
The people that care about the fish will make an effort to not harm a fish that they are going to release. It is not hard to see what kind of fish you have by just looking into the water, color, size and shape can tell you everything you need to know.
I dont think a law or any type of regulation would help because the people that do treat the fish like this do not care for them, and proabably wouldn;t care about a law. It may protect a few fish but is it really worth it?
we dont have anough game wardens making citations for serious stuff let alone people taking the fish out of the water. I follow the principles already and like the ideas but it is up to each person to decide how to treat the fish they are going to release. I just dont think it can be enforced. the best we can hope for it that each person takes it upon themselves to do what is best for the fish.
david