By: Nick Haddad Protecting Your Catch and Boosting Survival Rates Two of the largest issues that both anglers and fisheries managers face today are catch and release mortality (often from barotrauma) and depredation from apex predators. Both of these topics are such pressing concerns because they lead to large sources of fishing mortality, without the...
By: Nick Haddad Photographing the Catch As both an angler and photographer, I’ve learned over time how challenging it can be to incorporate photography into fishing. Conditions can change quickly, the fish don’t always cooperate and time is often of the essence for fish that will be released. Here are some of my best tips...
By: Nick Haddad Every cast counts, and so does every release. In Return ‘Em Right’s newest video series: After the Return: Tales of Survival, viewers are taken below the surface—literally and figuratively—into the challenges and solutions surrounding reef fish catch and release mortality. Through five unique fisheries perspectives, the series shines a light on the...
Gainesville, Fla. (December 14, 2023) – The Return ‘Em Right Best Release Practices Manual, developed in collaboration with private anglers, captains, scientists and fisheries managers, will help anglers improve the survival of reef fish that are caught and released. Each year, millions of reef fish are caught and released, and many die from the impacts...
Originally featured in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine September 2023 issue by Nick Haddad Return ‘Em Right Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager New regulations for venting and descending reef fish have sparked conversation and controversy across the Gulf. From Facebook fishing groups to online forums and on-the-water fodder, everyone seems to be an expert...
Capt. Dylan Hubbard of Hubbard’s Marina dives into the upcoming snapper season and how anglers should be prepared with a venting tool or a descending device that’s rigged and ready to use on released fish that show signs of barotrauma. Release mortality could be very high when handling certain types of fish like red snapper...
Originally featured in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine May 2023 issue by Nick Haddad Return ‘Em Right Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager Required Gear: Don’t Let the Law Ruin Your Day If you are an avid offshore angler, you’ve likely been hearing a lot about venting and descending requirements lately. Last year, the DESCEND Act became effective for...
by Frank Sargeant | Apr 13, 2023 Published in Great Days Outdoors May 2023 issue Reef species are so popular on the table that the last thing most of us want to think about is releasing them after the catch. But with tight harvest rules on most species these days, catch and release is a part of nearly...
Fishing reefs and wrecks in Marathon and the Florida Keys is as common as the postcard sunsets. But bottom fishing can bring with it an all-too-common sight: a deep water fish floating away after being released. It’s called barotrauma, where the fish’s body cavity expands and distorts, leaving them helpless at the surface. Initiatives are...
Tom Rowland Podcast – Episode #744 Nick Haddad is the Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager for Return ‘Em Right which is a new program that is the leading voice for tackling catch and release mortality due to barotrauma in the Gulf. Their mission is to improve reef fish survival by equipping anglers with the knowledge and...
