Originally Posted By: eyeFISH


The math goes like this....

If the release mortality rate equals the encounter rate (the statistical likelihood of catching a wild fish) then it's a wash. The same number of wild fish will die regardless of obligatory wild C&R vs obligatory wild retention.

Anytime the encounter rate exceeds the mortality rate, fewer wild fish die by keeping the first two. Fewer of them will die.

Only when the encounter rate falls below the mortailty rate can a legitimate case be made for mandating non-retention of wild fish.


Actually I have to retract that... got my encounter rate off kilter. Here's the real skinny

Anytime the mortality is less than the mark rate, a paper benefit can be shown by going mark selective... less wild fish would die than if you kill the first two. If the mortality is greater than the mark rate, less wild fish would die if you simply kill the first two fish encountered.
_________________________
"Let every angler who loves to fish think what it would mean to him to find the fish were gone." (Zane Grey)

"If you don't kill them, they will spawn." (Carcassman)


The Keen Eye MD
Long Live the Kings!