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Abstract

Many Pacific salmon captured in British Columbia’s marine recreational fisheries are released, but not all survive. Capture-and-release (C&R) is widely used as a conservation tool; however, actual C&R mortality rates are largely unknown for many marine fisheries. This research uses marine recreational Pacific salmon fisheries as a model system to investigate release outcomes of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and explore anglers’ perceptions of Pacific salmon release survival and fishing best practices, and their views on the effectiveness of C&R as a conservation tool. Over three years, I used acoustic telemetry to assess how fish condition, handling practices, and gear type affect release mortality and travel rates of coho salmon angled in the marine environment. Release mortality was estimated to be 31.5% (2020 & 2021) and 26.4% (2022) to the first point of detection (~50 km and 3.3 days after release). Higher odds of release mortality were associated with scale loss, eye injuries, bleeding, and smaller body size. While hook size did not influence the frequency of injuries, landing net type did; fish landed with a knotless net had less scale loss than those with a knotted net. Coho salmon released without using a net had the fewest injuries. Slower travel rate post-release was linked to scale loss and smaller body size. Interviews revealed the anglers were generally aware of best practices but highlighted practical trade-offs that hinder ideal gear choices. Support for C&R as a conservation tool was conditional, reflecting concerns about release mortality and ethical tensions. Ultimately, my findings show that both biological and social factors influence outcomes of C&R for Pacific salmon. Using fishing best practices (e.g., avoiding netting, releasing at the waterline, using smaller hooks) will minimize injuries and improve survival of released fish, and understanding angler perspectives on C&R will assist in developing effective and sustainable fisheries management strategies.