wakd Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Hopefully not a sign of things to come... Under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament - catch and release fishing will be banned in Switzerland beginning next year. It was also revealed this week that Swiss anglers will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish. The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument. Under the new regulations, the use of live bait and barbed hooks is also prohibited except in certain situations. The laws are scheduled to come into effect in 2009. While the Swiss government does not mention catch and release specifically, it does say that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish." EFTTA (European Fishing Tackle Trade Association) lobbyist Jan Kappel has been in contact with Martin Peter, Vice President of the Swiss Angling Federation, to see whether a joint approach to the Swiss government could persuade them to amend the legislation - which forms part of a much wider animal welfare program. The law on the protection of animals was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2005 and officials have spent three years refining the details, taking into account the comments of interested parties. Said Jan, "Catch and release is one of the most difficult issues we have to deal with, and one of the most important in my opinion. The new Swiss law doesn't make use of the term, catch and release, – but I don't see how governments can enforce legislation which makes 'intent' illegal. And demanding that people kill the fish they catch gives no thought to the conservation benefits from releasing them. Angling Codes of Conduct with regards to proper handling and releases can be found for practically any fish species caught by anglers in Switzerland and the rest of the world. The new Swiss law makes it obligatory for anglers to take lessons before being granted a fishing license. So there is absolutely no need for an outright ban on the release of fish in Switzerland.” It’s believed that the legislation could affect as many as 275,000 anglers in Switzerland, who generate around 30 million Euros in annual tackle sales. EFTTA acting president, Pierangelo Zanetta, said: "EFTTA does not believe that forcing anglers to kill their catches is either good for nature or for recreational sport fishing - which makes a significant financial contribution to the EU economy. Making the killing of fish obligatory will simply reduce fish population and, at the same time, run the risk of having a negative impact on sport fishing. Anglers and the sport of angling invest time and money to improve water quality and create larger and healthier fish populations. We believe is it far better for the fish if the fisherman decides, according to the situation, whether to keep and eat the fish or to release it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caine Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) is this for real? thats nuts! there was a swiss guy posting on here, would be interested to hear his opion Edited May 13, 2008 by CaineS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemmm Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 So how do you return a fish that is undersize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilm Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 This from the people who still allow smoking in restaurants and office buildings!! Polictical correctness gone nuts. In reply to Davemmm - they'll make it illegal to intend to catch undersize fish. So it's not a problem eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softplasticsjunkie Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 whats the world coming to? some one give the bloke who came up with this law a swift kick to the nuts for me...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew399 Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 goodluck policing it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maniak Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Hi All, Yeah, strange to say the least. Two points - what species do Swiss fishers fish for and how are these ridiculous laws going to be policed short of having an inspector going fishing with you to ensure you dont throw anything back. Cheers ManiaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krill Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Yep - see my post under the stainless hooks thread. I must be nostro-friggin-damus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone_wishin Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Hi All, Yeah, strange to say the least. Two points - what species do Swiss fishers fish for and how are these ridiculous laws going to be policed short of having an inspector going fishing with you to ensure you dont throw anything back. Cheers ManiaK It's quite simple, all inspectors will be taught to speak 'fish', then they will create a fish court (Judge Judy style) if you release a fish it can take you to court and sue you for emotional stress. This law was created by ex Mafia mobsters who still stand by their motto of leave no witnesses. There will be no more swimming with the fishes as they can't be trusted, especially the dredded 'stool pigeon fish'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daleyboy Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 (edited) And these crazy laws start tomorrow!!! New scales of justice for sick goldfish - SMH Surely the swiss are hiding WMD's somewhere ............. Edited September 2, 2008 by daleyboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forliano Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Only the Swiss... Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tumra Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I was in switzerland a few months ago staying on lake geneva and i would have a walk around to lake to see what kind of fish people were catching. Every person i saw fishing were keeping very small fish. They looked like some sort of perch which they were catching by using live minnows. There isnt much fishing to be had in lake geneva and i guess what they are trying to do is to stop people from fishing completely... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemu Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 this is what happens when environmental nutters get taken note off .These people are more detrimental to the ecosytem than they are good take note off this as we have witnessed what ther've done here already with thier ad hoc hear say that formed a basis to make marine parks . Catch and release is our fishing future in this country and this is a prime case of absurbed ludicry unfortunaly the everyday person dosn't know otherwise when it comes to the polling booth and this has incringed myself to see what has happened already to see the deception gone on they don't have one iota with the maritime ecosytem and they are failing as we speak to address genuine problems that count and would make a real difference to our oceans.But unfortune to us fisher's wer've had the wool pulled over our eyes already and I see it happening again untill we have a goverment that ignores the green extreme and takes note of problems that really do exist and not a made up fairy tale we don't have buckly's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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