Catch and Release fishing and Environmental Conservation

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The secret is out. Sportfishermen all over the world have discovered the awesome fighting characteristics of peacock bass, payara and other amazing Amazon gamefish. Almost too quickly, they’ve become a fishing sensation. Although popular interest is a good thing for the sportfishing business, sometimes it can be a direct threat to the health of a sensitive, unprotected fishery. With the overnight advent of a slew of new, sometimes less-than-careful, trip operators, it‘s time to take steps to protect these unique tropical fisheries.

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A complete payara life-cycle study is underway on the Urariquera river.

Conservation efforts in the U.S. have helped to reverse decades long deterioration of fish stocks in dozens of regions. Florida’s inshore fisheries have blossomed anew; New Jersey’s stripers have made a triumphal return; and most U.S. fishing destinations are better than they’ve been in the last fifty years. With an improved scientific understanding of Amazonian fisheries, preemptive steps can be taken to assure that these exciting species and their delicate habitat never suffer serious declines and remain protected and vital in spite of the increased pressure of current popular interest.

DNA sampling is being used to study Peacock bass characteristics and population distributions throughout the Amazon Basin.

What’s good for fish is good for anglers … and for Acute Angling as well. So we’ve joined forces with several academic and conservation organizations to lend our support on two fronts in this effort. We’re using our access to peacock bass to collect DNA samples and catch and release data throughout our peacock bass fishing range, to be used in an exhaustive study of all Brazilian Cichla species. We’ve also taken the lead on a historical first project to study the life cycle of payara (Hydrolicus species) on the Urariquera

Catch data provided by our anglers will help a dorado study in Brazil..

river. This important work will help to separate the myth from the facts, so that conservation and fishing activity can be optimally coordinated to help preserve these exotic fisheries.

Next spring, we'll enter the Pantanal region in search of dorado. We'll share our data with an ongoing regional effort under the auspices of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture

Conservation The Amazon basin is under constant destructive pressure. Acute Angling, recognizing the critical need for conservation of the region if it is to continue as a productive sportfishery, has begun the study and implementation of a series of conservation efforts in its fisheries. For information on these and related topics;

"Catch and Release Fishing Effectiveness
and Mortality"

"Observations of the Effects of
Catch and Release
Fishing in Amazonia"

"Implementation Techniques for an
Optimized Catch and Release Sport Fishery"

Research is expensive and we need your help. Acute Angling is accepting fully tax-deductible contributions for these projects. To make your contribution even more meaningful, matching funds from the Brazilian government are periodically available for certain studies. In addition, we at Acute Angling have also pledged to carry our share of the load. We have matched the first $2500 in contributions received from our angling clientele during 2003 and we plan to do the same in 2004. So this is a very good time to help science help your sport and get a tax deduction. For every dollar you contribute, up to three dollars will be available for this important research.

Help us to study the behavior, biology and distribution of these great Amazon gamefish. To contribute to the Amazon Sport Fishing fund, please make your check out to Acute Angling. Be sure to write “sport fishing fund” in the memo section. Please send your check to;

Garry Reiss
Acute Angling
9 Powelson Drive
Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Acute Angling will match your contributions (up to $2500). A confirmed acknowledgement will be returned to you for your tax records.

To learn more, check out these related items

Peacock Bass DNA Study Results - English

Peacock Bass DNA Study Results - Portuguese

The 5 species of Peacock Bass

Gamefish of the Amazon Basin

"Catch and Release Fishing Effectiveness
and Mortality"

"Observations of the Effects of
Catch and Release
Fishing in Amazonia"

"Implementation Techniques for an
Optimized Catch and Release Sport Fishery"

Results - We're already seeing results. We are in the process of completing a report on the first year of our payara study. We'll use this section of our website to keep you posted about the results and progress of our, and other kindred organizations' efforts in science and conservation in the Amazon.

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For more information about available fishing trips for peacock bass & other exotic species, contact;
Paul Reiss: - (866) 832-2987 - E-Mail Paul Reiss - or:
Garry Reiss - (866) 431-1668 - E-Mail Garry Reiss
We are pleased to be able to arrange trips to the right place at the right time, anywhere in the world, with the most reputable, professional outfitters. References are available upon request.