The survivability of halibut, after being caught and released, improves with less handling and quicker release times. With halibut regulations for charter fishing anglers becoming more restrictive, anglers will be forced to release more halibut either because there are size restrictions on the halibut that can be kept or the need to be selective in the choice of halibut being kept due to reduced bag limits. The HARM Reduction Project aims at reducing handling and release times by providing a means to measure halibut in the water without having to physically bring the halibut aboard a vessel for measurement. The goal is to develop a smartphone application that could be used by charter captains to accomplish this task.
More halibut will survive release.
Improved safety for crew and anglers from handling large fish.
Anglers would have a means to gain recognition for trophy halibut releases.
Promotes conservation and responsible fishing behavior.
May eventually lead to credit against current release mortality rates.
Alaska HARM Reduction Project