Redfish catch, hold and release tournaments - FAQs
In response to numerous questions from tournament
anglers, the Division of Marine Fisheries Management has compiled
the following list of questions and answers. Please use the
e-mail link at the bottom of this page if you have any questions
not covered here, and watch for new questions and answers attached
to future culling permits.
Why isn't there a tagging program to
gather information on redfish that are caught and released during
redfish tournaments?
There are several reasons why angler-based tagging
programs are not the scientific data collection method of
choice:
- Tagging programs are very labor intensive and require a lot of
manpower to manage. Not having enough manpower, or money to
provide manpower are always issues for research.
- Anglers (for the most part) do not have enough training to tag
fish and can cause more harm than good to the fish during the
tagging process.
- Even though fish may be tagged during a tournament, it is not
scientifically possible to directly calculate whether or not a fish
died just because of tournament-related activities. More controls
are needed to be able to collect solid data on mortality
(deaths).
- On average, a tagging program will get 1- to 5-percent
tag-return information. There are other scientific data collection
methods that are not as labor intensive and can produce better
information.
This is not to say that the FWC has ruled out using
angler-based tagging programs as a data collection method.
The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is considering using
angler-based tagging programs in the future but those programs will
be subject to very controlled circumstances to preserve the
integrity of the data collected.
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What do redfish eat during their
different life cycles?
Redfish eat plankton for approximately their first
month and then transition to eating crustaceans such as shrimp,
crabs, oysters, worms, etc. that are suited for their size as they
grow. Redfish, like many other fish are opportunistic and
will eat what is readily available such as smaller fish, but they
mainly feed on crustaceans. Adult redfish have a sub-terminal
jaw where the upper jaw extends beyond the lower jaw. A
sub-terminal jaw structure is the sign of a bottom feeder.
Tailing redfish are most likely bottom feeding on crustaceans.
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Can you over-oxygenate a
livewell?
It is possible to over oxygenate a livewell
especially when the livewell has a lid that is kept closed. Closing
the lid to a livewell increases the oxygen level which increases
respiration by the fish. This will increase the level of
carbon dioxide and other gasses expelled by the fish. It is
recommended that you leave the livewell cracked or open to allow
gasses to escape. Keeping the livewell lid cracked also has
the benefit of allowing light in to allow the fish to orient
itself.
Excess oxygen will also excite the fish and cause
over activity that may lead to the fish bumping and bruising itself
in the livewell. We suggest using an adjustable oxygenation
system with ceramic air stones. Ceramic air stones produce
small bubbles that dissolve quickly. It is important to have
a steady, rising stream of bubbles, but the water should not be
boiling from the input of oxygen.
The best possible way to avoid over-oxygenating or
under-oxygenating a livewell is to use a device that measures
dissolved oxygen content in the water. It is also possible to
tell by observing a fish's behavior if the oxygen level is
appropriate. The fish should appear to be relaxed and be
opening and closing its gill covers. If the fish appears
overactive, the oxygen level may be too high. If the fish is
coming to the surface, they are looking for more oxygen and the
oxygen level may be too low.
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Is it better to use medical
grade oxygen for the livewell?
We have not found that the grade of oxygen makes a
difference. Our redfish hatchery uses industrial grade
oxygen, which is typically used for welding, and it is much less
expensive than medical grade oxygen.
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Is it better to use a boga grip
when handling fish during the measuring and weigh-in process?
Yes and no. If used correctly, a boga grip
can be a benefit. If the fish is held horizontally and
supported at the belly, the boga grip can be helpful by reducing
handling and gaining control over the fish to aid transport and
measurement. Unfortunately, when using a boga grip the
tendency is to hold the fish vertically and the fish may struggle
too hard and break its jaw. If you choose to use a boga grip,
we emphasize that you keep the fish horizontal and support its
weight at the belly.
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If I have the
appropriate size livewell on board to qualify for the culling permit, do I have to put the
redfish that I catch during the tournament in it?
Yes. FWC rule and the culling permit require
a livewell minimum size of 18 gallons (9 gallons per fish) so that
up to 2 redfish could be maintained on board a vessel with the
minimum needed space to survive. The permit specifically
states the following: "All boats used in the tournament must
contain recirculating or aerated livewells that are at least 2.4
cubic feet or 18 gallons in capacity. Any fish caught and
culled pursuant to this permit must be maintained in the livewell
that meets these specifications."
Contact: Lisa Gregg, FWC Special
Activity License Program
Lisa.Gregg@MyFWC.com
850-488-6058, x210
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