However we are effectively doing this now. Currently we are obliged to throw overboard and therefore kill a perfectly edible fish because it does not reach a specific number of centimetres. Of course we must acknowledge that returning the dying fish would allow it to re-enter the food chain, but it would not account for much more food being artificially introduced than would normally be supplied by an angler using scrap fish based berley mix, or lost baits. The Right Hook Researchers are also claiming that the other factor causing unnecessary loss of fish is the method of hooking and handling. They have found that single baited hooks can cause more damage than trebled hooks which are not ingested as far therefore reducing the chance of gill or gut hooking, another major cause of death in release fish.
Floaters are more likely to be taken deeper than jigged, or trolled hooks on baits or lures.
Bigger hooks with wide gaps are less likely to be taken deep than smaller hooks, or narrow gaped hooks. Stainless hooks are less likely to cause damage than hooks which decompose such as tin and cadmium which can cause metal poisoning. Fish released when still in the water can have a substantially enhanced chance of survival if the line is cut, or the hook removed with out man-handling the fish which can also cause scumming. Shallow water caught deephooked fish can be saved provided immense care is taken in the other departments. All the fish were transferred by picking them up gently whilst still in the water using both hands sheathed in surgical gloves.