It really blows my mind that anyone would even begin to argue the affects on wild steelhead OR any fish for thst matter. If the % of mortality was even .0000001 percent. That is .0000001 more than I want to hear about.
Do you part to handle every fish to the best of your ability. Plain and simple.
You should need a study to tell you that our fisheries are declining, and sport fisherman ARE PART of the cause.