there must be an interesting story here about how they figured out that they needed to do this with a sustainable take rate (unlike most commercial fishing industries).
Why?
Also, anything can seem absurd if you are extremely reductionist and present it in an uncharitable fashion.
(I've never fished before, just some remarks)
> I just literally don't understand [how] catch and release [is entertaining]
Is that better? I know the meaning and used the word appropriately. I just left out a few other words because I thought my intent would be clear.
But you know, it's trendy to complain about "literally" now so have at it.
Presumably it's enjoyable to sit in nature, far from distractions, with a variable reward that something happens every hour or so, and occasionally the thing that happens warrants a photo and something you can tell your friends about? A bit like watching cricket, actually.
I still have yet to see a study on the topic, so maybe they're right. But I doubt it to be honest.
I don't think it's about the fish in particular, but that we're training ourselves--practicing even--to be uncompassionate to all things, human or not. We're supposed to be the better species here.
There are species of trout and salmon that are savvy at distinguishing between a piece of food and a hook disguised as one. Catching one can be a game over several hours. Once you have caught a fish, you put it back for your mates later on.
The reason for putting the fish back is that - often - more work goes into stocking the fisheries than than into fishing them. It is a bit like owning a boat. Courses of fish populations are repopulated through dedicated hatcheries, run by the fishing groups.
Also, there is a pokemon dynamic to creating your library of lures.
furthermore, legislation like quota systems are generally supported because it gives companies a golden ticket to harvest while denying newcomers from entering the space.
that's why i think there's an interesting story lurking here. there were probably a small number of technocratic players involved (maybe even one) who were able to specify how the chain should work.
Quota systems and overfishing aren't mutually exclusive either. There's plenty of fisheries quotas that are still higher than a sustainable quota should be.