 There are a number of things that fishers can do to optimise the survival of release snapper Firstly, fishing for snapper in shallow water is the best option to reduce barotrauma and improve survival When landing and handling a fish that is intended for release It is considered best practice to be prepared before the fish is hooked by having the necessary tools and equipment readily available such as a landing net, wet towel and pliers Reducing handling time and air exposure will optimise the probability of survival It is also recommended to use a knotless or silicon landing net to support the weight of the fish when bringing it to the vessel and Placing the fish into a cool wet surface and handling with wet hands or gloves to minimise the removal of protective mucus By making small changes to the way we handle and release snapper We can all optimise their probability of survival when released and contribute to the recovery of this iconic fish species