While live baiting continues, it should be carried out in a way that minimises damage to the bait fish. Commercial 'fish out' recreational activities Commercial 'fish out' operators are encouraged to provide unskilled fishers with instructions on humane handling and killing of captured fish. A program of instruction and monitoring is desirable. Fish tagging Only identification methods that are humane and cause minimal disruption to fish should be adopted. Head of the National Office of Animal and Plant Health, Dr Gardner Murrary, said the statement, Animal Welfare Aspects of Recreational Fishing, would provide Australia's estimated three to four million recreational fishers with important tips on fishing responsibly and humanely.
Information is provided on fishing tackle and how different types of hooks and line affect the fish.
It also contains information on appropriate landing, tethering and tagging techniques to minimise the damage to fish. Recreational fishing is an important leisure activity for millions of Australians - some 122,000 people alone belong to fishing clubs. It is also an important contributor to the economy. And it will complement the National Code of Practice for Recreational and Sport Fishing published by Australia's recreational fishing bodies. Dr Murray added that both documents should play an important role in generating discussion in the lead up to next year's national survey into recreational and indigenous fishing.