The use of Circle hooks enable fish to be released unharmed
FEATURE | SUSTAINABILITY
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reducing mortality by increasing guthooking.
WHY AREN’T CIRCLE HOOKS MORE
WIDESPREAD?
If the evidence is so strong – and they
can have just the same capture results
as other hook patterns – why isn’t
everyone making and using them? As
ever, it’s about a lack of information,
persistent habits and a few ‘urban
myths’.
Perhaps the easiest myth to dispel is
that single circle hooks make it harder
to catch specimen fi sh, particularly
predator species. From my experience,
this may well be a particularly British
belief, however, there are plenty of
counter-examples of specimen-sized
fi sh being consistently caught on circle
hooks, including the largest of all –
goliath grouper and sharks!
Anglers, like everyone, are also
reluctant to change. Much of this
resistance may have a lot to do with
preserving tradition and freedom of
choice. But it’s also the case that, until
quite recently, there has also been
little information available outside the
US and Australia (New South Wales
government) on the benefi ts of circle
hooks.
However, this position is now starting
to change, particularly in Europe. For
manufacturers thinking of producing
circle hooks, user education will
therefore be necessary to increase
customer confi dence about their use,
quality and performance.
Another problem is spurious
marketing and social media claims.
Some hook patterns are advertised
as circle hooks but in fact are not.
Many of these (for example Kahle
hooks – where the point is turned back
towards the eye) do not deliver the
same conservation benefi ts. These false
descriptions may also impact negatively
on the wider acceptance of circle hooks.
INCREASING TAKE-UP
One systematic way to address the
barriers to wider take-up could be
through a universal certifi cation
scheme for circle hooks. This would
include a clear defi nition for non-offset
circle hooks “any hook where the point
is turned perpendicularly back to the
shan, and where the shank, bend and
point are aligned.”
This description broadly aligns with
that of both the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission and US Billfi sh
Tournament Rules for ‘tournamentapproved’
circle hooks. However, it
goes further by stipulating a non-offset
angle for the ‘shielding’ reason outlined
above.
There is also a problem with the
lack of hook size standardisation.
Many anglers who use circle hooks are
frustrated by the lack of standard sizes,
compared with other hook patterns. A
universal circle hook size convention
as broadly exists for J-profi le hooks
would bring much needed consistency.
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE HOOK
Despite their obvious benefi ts, circle
hooks do not represent a conservation
panacea. For recreational anglers, they
should be used alongside other good
practice catch-and-release techniques
(such as keeping fi sh wet and well
supported during unhooking). For
commercial fi shing, they need to be
used together with other equipment
innovations which scare away nontarget
species, or make baited hooks
less attractive.
THE MANUFACTURING CHALLENGE
When circle hooks are included in
a manufacturer’s product range,
this is often under the marketing
banner that they represent the choice
for ‘conservation-minded’ anglers.
Whilst this is true, all companies
have a moral obligation to promote
equipment that can be used
responsibly.
Importantly, the use of circle hooks
aligns with two United Nations’
Sustainable Development Goals –
increasingly used by companies to
showcase their positive impacts
on people and the planet – Goal 14
(conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas and marine resources);
and Goal 15 (protect, restore and
promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, including freshwater.)
Products that support these Global
Goals represent a powerful brandbuilding
opportunity for both fi shing
tackle manufacturers and retailers.
Perhaps more importantly, it’s the
right thing to do.
In next month’s ‘sustainability
and the trade’ feature, TTW editor
John Watson interviews fi sh21 on
its ‘angling baits and sustainability’
report. You can contact Stuart on
all sustainability topics by e-mail:
stuart@fi sh21.co.uk www.fi sh21.co.uk
Circle Hook
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