This petition requests a ban on all lip-grippers, lip-grip scales (i.e., Boga Grips), and any similar devices with spring-loaded metal jaws intended to hold a fish by pinching, squeezing, or puncturing its jaw. 

Holding virtually any fish species with a lip-gripping device is extremely harmful to the fish. One study of bonefish in Florida found that 90% of fish handled with a lip-gripping device had minor jaw injuries and more than 35% had major jaw injuries. 

A later study of barramundi, Australia's most popular sport fish, found that not only did the fish handled with lip-gripping devices suffer jaw injuries, but all but one of the fish handled with a lip gripper had spinal damage. The grippers caused spinal separation regardless of whether the fish was held vertically or horizontally, though the single fish with the uninjured spine was held horizontally.

Lip grippers (particularly those with scales) encourage anglers to hold fish vertically for a photograph or weight instead of using best practice to weigh the fish, which involves placing the fish in a wet net, hooking the scale to the net, and getting a tare weight. Holding fish vertically has long been known to cause serious damage to most species of fish. Though studies have shown Largemouth Bass in tournaments don't suffer much from vertical holds, they are the exception to this rule. Every other species studied has shown adverse effects after being held vertically. 

A 2004 study conducted with several popular sport fish in the Gulf of Mexico found "When you hold a really large fish vertically, the weight of its internal organs can
stretch or tear the (connective tissues) that hold them in place, causing the internal organs to slump toward the tail. Such internal damage could have adverse effects on the fish’s digestive functions."

Additional studies have found vertical holds can lead to internal bleeding, loss of reproductive potential, infertility, and even death. Lip grippers encourage the horrible practice of vertical holds. 

Lip-gripping devices and scales, such as the Boga Grip, have a very specific place. They were created to help anglers manage dangerous saltwater fish such as sharks, barracuda, and moray eels — fish capable of causing significant injury or even death to anglers. The only fishes found in Oregon waters that justify use of a lip-gripping device are Lingcod and Sharks, but even these species can be safely handled without lip-grippers.

These devices provide a slight separation between the angler's hand and the fish's toothy mouth as well as a firm grip on the fish with a spring-loaded mechanism that keeps the device rooted to the fish's jaw. For the small handful of highly-dangerous fishes such as these, lip grips are acceptable but still not best practice. Simply tailing these fish and holding them horizontally with a hand under the belly is much safer for the fish.

There is absolutely no reason to ever hold a trout, salmon, bass, sturgeon, rockfish, or any of Oregon's fish with a lip grip. Most of these species can safely be held horizontally with one hand gripping the base of the tail and the other under the fish, supporting its weight.

Those that can't easily be held this way due to their body shape (i.e., bass and rockfish) can safely be held horizontally by gently grabbing the lower jaw with thumb and forefinger and placing a second hand under the belly to support the fish's weight.

We have some amazing fisheries in Oregon, but we cannot continue to allow irresponsible handling practices and harmful devices to maim and kill our beloved gamefish. 

I love fishing. It's my single greatest passion in life. I also care deeply for the fish I pursue, and I want these fisheries to outlast me. Please help keep our fisheries strong by limiting how much angler-caused damage we inflict. Fish face enough difficulties as is.

Sign this petition to show the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that responsible anglers want to put an end to fish mishandling by banning lip-gripping devices in all Oregon waters.