Holding a salmon correctly is important for both the fish's well-being and the safety of the handler, especially if the fish is to be released. While the provided reference primarily focuses on the ethical considerations of retaining or releasing a salmon based on its condition (specifically, if it's bleeding), it doesn't explicitly detail the physical methods for holding a salmon. However, we can infer best practices from general fishing guidelines and principles of safe fish handling.
Here’s a breakdown of how to safely hold a salmon:
Key Considerations
- Minimize Handling: The less you handle the fish, the better. Excessive handling can remove the protective slime coat and increase stress, reducing its chances of survival if released.
- Wet Hands: Always wet your hands before touching a salmon. This helps to preserve its slime coat, which protects it from infection.
- Gentle Grip: Avoid squeezing the fish too hard.
- Support the Body: Always support the salmon's weight, rather than letting it dangle.
Safe Holding Methods
While the provided YouTube reference doesn’t visually demonstrate how to hold a salmon, we can outline the recommended practices based on best practices:
- Horizontal Support: Always try to support the fish horizontally when lifting it. This can be accomplished by:
- Holding just behind the pectoral fins: Gently place your hand under the fish's belly, just behind the pectoral fins, and carefully support the fish's weight.
- Using two hands: One hand supports under the belly and the other gently stabilizes the upper body.
- Avoid Gill Contact: Never put your fingers inside the gills. This area is very sensitive and crucial for the fish's breathing. Damage to the gills can be fatal.
- For Pictures: If you need to hold the fish for a photo:
- Hold it briefly, keeping it as close to the water as possible
- Take a quick photo and release it immediately.
- When Releasing: If releasing the fish, gently lower it back into the water, and allow it to swim away on its own. Do not throw it back into the water.
- If it's bleeding: According to the reference, if you are legally allowed to retain a bleeding fish, you should do so to sustain the resource. A bleeding fish may not survive if released.
Important Note
- The Reference Point: The reference highlights the importance of making ethical choices on whether to release a fish based on whether it is bleeding and legal retention allowances, and emphasizes the need to make that decision to sustain fish resources.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wet Hands | Essential to protect the fish's slime coat. |
| Support the Body | Avoid dangling the fish; support its weight. |
| Gentle Grip | Avoid squeezing too hard. |
| Avoid Gills | Never touch the gills, a vital breathing organ. |
| Quick Photos | Keep photo sessions brief, close to water. |
| Release Carefully | Allow the fish to swim away naturally, do not throw it. |
| Bleeding Fish | If legally allowed, retain a bleeding fish to sustain the resource. |
