Corrodible hooks

Corrodible hooks are fishing hooks composed of material other than stainless steel. They may be made from different alloys, with different coatings, which all affect how long they last. The hook may dissolve quickly, within a couple of days, or more slowly over weeks or months.

The premise behind the use of corrodible hooks is that they should improve the mortality rate of bycatch released with a hook attached. However, this needs to be tested through tagging studies.

Cost Information

The economics of adopting corrodible hooks requires examination. Corrodible hooks would need to be replaced more often than the low-grade stainless steel hooks currently used in fishing operations, however, they cost less than stainless hooks. No extra skill is required to secure a corrodible hook, compared with a stainless steel hook.

References

  1. NOAA. 2006. Frequently Asked Questions - Bottlenose Dolphins – Increase in Depredatory (Stealing) Behavior and Deaths Associated with Recreational Fishing Gear. Southeast Regional Office.
  2. Patterson, H.M. and Tudman, M.J. 2009. Chondrichthyan guide for fisheries managers: A practical guide to mitigating chondrichthyan bycatch. Bureau of Rural Sciences and Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Canberra.