There isn't a simple answer to this issue.
When targeting certain species it would be useful to have barbs and the conservation implications would be nil. ie whitefish
Fishing intensity has the greatest impact on the resource, no matter what technique is applied.
That said, there is still a huge lack of education or resources available that show people how to C&R in a low impact manner.
One still needs to pour over this site in order to find instructions on how to make a low impact sturgeon rig. These types of resources should be available.
Having a single authoritative resource for the province would go far. This way when issues are brought to the SRD they can provide a simple solution which is publicly available.
I don't believe barbless hooks increase the fight time. I think gear size influences fight time.
Barbed hooks definitely cause more tissue trauma.
One of the reasons that streams went barbless in BC is because mortality in trout less than 25-30cm was very high. I believe it.
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