Hook Size and Mortality Rates of Salmon

Led by Jonathan Scordino, Makah Fisheries Management.
Collaborators include Deon Roche, Makah Fisheries Management

Chinook salmon are a culturally and ecologically important fish and despite being protected under the Endangered Species Act, their population continues to decline. Coho salmon population also are declining. A potential mortality factor that could be minimized could be hook injuries from catch and release fishing of wild stocks. 

This project evaluates if hook size affects the location of injury as well as the probability of mortality for coho and Chinook salmon recreational catch and release troll fisheries. If hook size is an important component for the survival of coho and Chinook salmon caught and released the information will be used to discuss changes in recreational salmon fishing regulations.