Stainless Hooks for Galapagos?

[SK]

I have a deep sea charter fishing business in the Galapagos Islands. As you can imagine, it's a particularly sensitive environment! We are licensed by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) to provide "Artesanal Vivencial Fishing" to tourists (Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, etc...). Although, to the visitor, it is essentially the same as "Sport-Fishing", the GNP does not like us using that term. There is a sort of logic to their position - It's a long and interesting story and I would be more than happy to go into it further. But, back to the main subject: Stainless Hooks.

During a recent inspection by the GNP, it was suggested that I should be using degradable hooks rather than stainless (there is no regulation on the matter and so I take it to be the inspector's personal opinion). Nonetheless, although I have been researching the issue I have not been able to find consensus on the question of which type of hook is better for the health of the fish (we practice catch-and-release). While some argue that the hook must be rustable, others counter that it is better for a fish to have a stainless hook stuck in its mouth than to have rust leaching through its gills for as long as it takes for the hook to dissolve.

If the IGFA has a position in the matter, I have been unable to discern it.

Do any organizations such as IGFA have official positions or recommendations?

What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Sam Salmon]

Check your email.

[spinfreak]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add my 2 cents. And this is all IMHO as I have no scientific background on this.

I would use regular hooks. Stainless is exactly that....stainless. Stainless items will, and do, eventually rust. A stainless hook that is left in a fish's mouth/throat/gut will rust out just like a regular hook will, except the stainless hook will do it a lot more slowly. A regular hook should rust out within a few days/weeks (depending on who you're asking), while I'd venture to guess that a stainless hook might take months or years to rust out. Do the fish a favor and use regular hooks. :gr_cheers:

[Intrepid377]

I agree with Spin. SS hooks will effect that fish much longer than a coated hook. As an aside....SS hooks are brittle and WILL break under heavy loads with heavy drag on big fish. I don't know what tackle you're using but if it's 80 or 130 with 35+ lbs of drag you want nothing to do with SS.