Regulating Hook Type

[SKK]

I know there is a substantial body of opinion in favour of using non-stainless circle hooks in natural bait. A lot of jurisdictions have mandated their use. But what about artificial lures, plugs, etc.?

I think the jury is still out on whether or not circle-hooks are effective in artificial lures. Nonetheless, a colleague of mine swears that "international fishing regulations" say you have to use non-stainless hooks in lures as well. I don't believe that for a moment - I can just see us all re-rigging all of those nicely rigged lures and plugs we just bought from Captain Harry's or wherever. Anyone know where I can get some non-stainless Stingers for my Butterfly collection?

Anyway, my questions are these:

What is the closest thing we have to "international rules" for sport fishing. I know we have IGFA, but I don't think they address hook material at all? If they don't, who does?

Is there any regulatory body that mandates the use of non-stainless hooks in artificial lures?
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[Swami]

Other than the national, state or local governments, I cannot imagine anyone having the right to dictate things like hook composition.

We're mandated to use circle hooks in natural baits by the governments of Guatemala and Costa Rica as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service in the U.S. If one were to mandate a certain hook material, there would also have to be enforcement procedures enacted as well to punish those caught with the wrong stuff.

In regard to an international body, I suppose ICCAT could do it but they're so gutless right now regarding sportfishing it's not even worth discussing.

And other than ICCAT there is no other international governing or regulating body. IGFA rules are for world records and have been adopted with changes as the de facto standard for most tournaments. That's it.

[SKK]

Thanks Swami. The only reg's I have seen so far (in the rest of the world) relate specifically to non-stainless circle-hooks in natural bait. However, I don't operate in a regular environment. As currently written, the latest fishing regulations in the Galapagos National Park state that you have to use non-stainless hooks in ALL lures, natural and artificial. I just can't see that as a reasonable requirement. I don't think they appreciate the implications of such a sweeping requirement and I suspect it results, in large part, from ignorance of what is happening elsewhere.
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