State and federal regulations require
all commercial fishers and recreational anglers fishing for any
reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico to use circle hooks,
dehooking devices and venting tools. These rules became effective
on June 1, 2008 in all waters of the Gulf of Mexico and affect all
reef fish species including groupers, snappers, amberjacks,
triggerfish, porgies, sea bass, hogfish, and tilefish. As of
July 29, 2009, regulations require recreational and commercial
fishers to use dehooking devices when fishing for reef fish in
federal waters of the Atlantic off Florida. Consistent
regulations have been in effect in state waters of the Atlantic
since January 19, 2010. Effective March 3, 2011,
non-stainless steel circle hooks must be used when fishing for reef
fish with hook and line gear and natural baits north of latitude
28°N in Atlantic federal waters.
The intent of these rules is to help conserve
fishery resources by minimizing mortality associated with releasing
fish that are not going to be harvested due to regulations or for
other reasons. Fishers and anglers are being asked to be
responsible to acquire and use the required gear when fishing for
reef fish species.
Additionally, common sense should be used in abiding
by these rules. For instance, if a hook is too far embedded
in the throat or gut of the fish, it is much better to cut the line
from the hook rather than try to remove the hook with a dehooking
device. The non-stainless steel hooks will disintegrate in a
relatively short period of time and should cause the fish less
harm. Also, fish should only be vented after one or all of
the following characteristics are noticed on a fish: the stomach
protrudes from the mouth, the eyes are bulging, the belly region is
swollen, or the intestines are sticking out of the anus.
Circle Hooks
The rules require
fishers on all vessels fishing for reef fish in the Gulf to possess
and use non-stainless steel circle hooks when natural baits are
used. A circle hook is a fishing hook designed and manufactured so
that the point is not offset, but turned perpendicularly back to
the shank to form a generally circular or oval shape.
At its June 2010 meeting, the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council approved a management measure that would
require persons aboard vessels fishing for reef fish in Atlantic
federal waters north of 28° latitude (near Melbourne) to use
non-stainless steel circle hooks. This requirement will be
reviewed by NOAA Fisheries Service and is subject to the approval
of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. If approved by the
Secretary of Commerce, the circle hook requirement for Atlantic
federal waters would likely go into effect later this year.
Dehooking Devices
Fishers on all vessels fishing for reef fish in the
Gulf and federal waters of the Atlantic, are 
required to
possess and use a dehooking device to remove hooks embedded in reef
fish with minimal damage. The dehooking device must be constructed
to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without
re-engaging during the removal process. It must be blunt and all
edges rounded, and it must be of a size appropriate to secure the
range of hook sizes and styles used in the reef fish fishery.
Venting Tools
The new rules
require fishers on all vessels fishing for reef fish in the Gulf to
possess and use a venting tool to deflate the swimbladders of Gulf
reef fish to help release the fish with minimum damage. This tool
must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic
syringe with the plunger removed or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a
hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife or an ice-pick
may not be used.
The venting tool must be inserted into the fish at
a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches from the base of the
pectoral fin and be inserted just deep enough to release the gases
so that the fish may be released with minimum damage.
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