It’s a debate that’s raged within the angling community for years…

Now the provincial government is out with recommendations on hook and release, following a three-year study.

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture conducted what it’s calling a comprehensive study into the effects of hook and release angling of Atlantic salmon, the results of which were presented at the annual Inland Compliance and Resource Management Atlantic Salmon Workshop yesterday.

The study measured Atlantic salmon survival after hook and release, tracking the factors that affect survival including temperature and the technique used in releasing salmon.

The recommendations include not practicing hook and release in water temperatures over 18 degrees, not removing salmon from the water, and not touching or handling the salmon unless absolutely necessary and using bare wet hands when doing so.