The debate continues among salmon anglers and conservation groups about catch and release and the impact on salmon populations.

Junior Downey is with the Salmon Watchers Assistance Group or SWAG.

His group is one of a few in the province which is against catch and release, and acknowledges that salmon groups in the province are divided on the issue.

A federal petition has also been launched asking that catch and release be banned.

Downey says most groups agree there is a 10 per cent mortality rate when it comes to catch and release in ideal conditions, but that rises as the water temperatures rise.

His concern is that there are no controls over catch and release.

Robert Bishop is the President of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland. His organization supports catch and release.

He says throughout the world catch and release is a widely-used management tool.