Fish care always a priority at BASS

BASS Conservation provides tips for recreational anglers

PITTSBURGH - BASS Conservation today reminded a room full of reporters at the 35th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic that conservation should always be a top priority and work is continuing to promote awareness and education on the topic.

"We appreciate the press attendance and insightful questions at today's media briefing and are very pleased with their interest in BASS' conservation efforts and tournament fish care," said Noreen Clough, BASS conservation director.

Clough and Gene Gilliland, a fisheries biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said BASS' catch and release ethic is at the core of everything they do.

Fish are out of water no longer than a minute and anglers are penalized 4 ounces for bringing in an expired fish. Additionally, all bass caught are immediately returned to the waters.

Also attending the conference and fielding questions were Chris Horton, associate director of conservation, Doug Austen, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Maryland State Sen. John Astle, who is president of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

BASS also presented a certificate of appreciation to Pat Mackey, president of Mercury Marine, and Michelle Kilburn, manager of tournaments and events.

Mercury recently pledged $15,000 to fund a study on the effects of culling.

CITGO Bassmaster Classic fish care facts

? Before a tournament starts, anglers receive some 35 pounds of ice each morning for livewell cooling. This is to be used throughout the day and is essential for summertime events.

? In a basic sense, cooling the livewell water helps to reduce stress and elevate dissolved oxygen levels.

? On the water, anglers are instructed to run livewell aeration continuously throughout the day. At each tournament, anglers are briefed on the importance of livewell care.

? Immediately as anglers come off the water, dissolved oxygen levels and livewell temperatures are monitored with dissolved oxygen meters. Adjustments are made if needed.

? As the weigh-in process progresses, a fish will be out of water no more than a minute.

? Upon hitting the podium and scale, fish are weighed in an efficient manner, then immediately pass through a trap door on the stage where they are placed in holding tanks with oxygen rich, cooled water until after the weigh-in.

? A total of 5,985 lbs of ice will be used for fish care at the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic.

? After the show is over, the Pennsylvania Fishing and Boat Commission will load the fish into fish hauling trucks for transport back to the rivers.

? All weighed-in fish will be redistributed to the local pools based on the percentage caught from each. This information is available using new GPS technology (BassTrak) that tracks where each fish is caught.

Fish care for recreational anglers

? Anglers should always land fish as quickly as possible.

? Anglers must grab their line or the fish upon landing. Never allow the fish to flop on the deck or carpet.

? Anglers must continuously run livewell aeration after the first fish is in the well.

? If water temperatures exceed 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, add an eight pound block of ice (4 lbs. to each side of the livewell) every 4 hours.

? Essential livewell additives: 1/3 cup of non-iodized salt per 5 gallons of water helps reduce stress. This way is much cheaper, safer and equally effective as commercial products.

? Anglers need to return to the weigh-in with both livewells full of water. You never know when an aeration pump may malfunction or water leaks out of one side.

? Always wait for your turn to weigh in before bagging the fish and proceeding to the weigh-in scales.

? If using an imperforated bag, be sure to exchange water in the bag with water in the life-support tanks (if available).

? Always keep in mind that 10 pounds of fish in two gallons of water can completely consume the available dissolved oxygen in two minutes.

? Never keep the fish out of the water more than one minute. Fish cannot breathe air, even with wet gills.

? Always return fish to home fishery as soon as possible.

BASS Communications -Jul. 31, 2005

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Posted by DODGE at July 31, 2005 05:17 PM in Natural Environment (USA), Tournament (BASS)