At all times during the shooting of this series fish will be handled according to international best practice. When fish are to be released, every effort will be made to ensure that the fish are out of the water for unhooking for as short a period of time as possible and that where feasible, fish will be handled and unhooked in the water. Footage / photographs will be taken with the fish either in the water or taken from the water for a matter of seconds. When required, fish will have sea water sprayed over their bodies or across their gills. Where feasible, landing nets, drop nets and / or unhooking mats will be used when landing / unhooking the fish. Great care will be taken to allow the fish to fully recover before release. Great attention will be paid to weather and water conditions on each day of the shoot – air temperature, water temperature, intensity of sunshine etc. Release techniques will be modified as required to take account of, for example, particularly warm conditions – e.g. under such conditions fish will be fish kept in the water all of the time before release or fish supported for a longer period of time until fully recovered. Appropriate angling gear will be used which ensures that the fish can be landed without undue delay. Where fish are to be retained they will be humanely dispatched immediately on landing. So-called “Priests” will be on hand all times to ensure that fish seriously damaged by hooking or during the landing process can be quickly dispatched as required.

Dr Ken Whelan, Series Consultant