Keep Fish Wet

Keep Fish Wet organizes release practice around what the angler can control. Its principles emphasize minimizing air exposure, reducing handling and shortening the time a fish is fought. Supporting material explains why wet hands or a soft rubber net protect the mucus layer, why a photograph should be prepared before lifting, and why an exhausted fish may suffer even after it swims away. The nonprofit offers teaching material for clubs and clinics and explicitly avoids treating lawful harvest as a moral failure.

No technique makes every release harmless. Species, water temperature, hooking location, depth and predators all influence survival, and deep-water barotrauma may require specialized guidance. The memorable rules are therefore a preparation framework rather than a universal medical formula. Carry release tools, match tackle to the target, keep the fish in or over water, and consult local agency instructions for protected species or recompression. Better handling begins before the hook-up, not after a long photo session.