CATCHANDRELEASE.ORG WATCH THE FLORIDA SEA GRANT CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING PLAYLIST BAROTRAUMA SUCCESSFUL RELEASE OF FISH CAUGHT IN DEEP WATER

Photo by Hayden Staley, FWC Staley, Hayden by Photo & Everted or protruding stomach Bulging eyes Bubbling scales

Florida Sea Grant PO Box 110409 Gainesville, FL 32611-0409 Inability to return to depth Distended intestines and bloated belly www.flseagrant.org (352) 392-2801 IF YOU CATCH A FISH YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP, HELP IT SURVIVE AND GET BACK TO THE DEEP! Healthy released fish will have a greater chance to grow and reproduce- The barotrauma information provided here is based on the best available which benefits fish populations and the future of your fisheries. research regarding fish barotrauma as interpreted by a Florida Sea Grant fisheries work action group. Content is adapted from Barotrauma and Successful Release of Fish Caught in Deep Water, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg160. Experienced offshore anglers are all too Barotrauma severity and likelihood familiar with having to release fish that are increases with depth; most cases occur This publication was supported by the National Sea Grant College Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric too small, out of season, or just bycatch. deeper than 30 feet. Certain species are Administration (NOAA), Grant No. NA 18OAR4170085. The views expressed more susceptible than others, and high are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of these Reef fish taken from deep water undergo temperatures may increase the severity of organizations. Additional copies are available by contacting Florida Sea expansion of gases in the swim bladder as barotrauma. Grant, University of Florida, PO Box 110409, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0409, they are brought to the surface. This may (352) 392.2801, www.flseagrant.org. result in an overinflated or ruptured swim No one likes the sight of floaters. Fishery Unless otherwise noted, images by Florida Sea Grant. Reef habitat art bladder as well as other pressure-related regulations that require fish to be released courtesy of the Integration and Application Network, University of injuries, a condition called barotrauma. will only be effective if fish survive. Maryland Center for Environmental Science (ian.umces.edu/symbols/). Reducing discard mortality could lead to Physical signs of barotrauma include Florida Sea Grant is committed to responsible and sustainable printing more fishing opportunities in the future. practices. This document is printed on paper of recycled content using protrusion of the stomach from the fish’s soy-based ink. mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, RELEASING A FISH SAFELY bubbling scales and distended intestines. WITH MINIMAL HARM IS KEY TO SGEF 250 September 2018 HELPING IT SURVIVE. Traditional method. Data shows it works if A recent addition to the barotrauma BAROTRAUMA: WHAT CAN YOU DO? performed properly. mitigation toolbox. VENTING WEIGHTED DESCENT Here are two ways you can help fish suffering VENTING WEIGHTED DESCENT from barotrauma: • Quick and particularly • Non-invasive technique Venting is a barotrauma mitigation method that is Descending is a barotrauma mitigation method that is suited for situations where minimizes injury. particularly suited for situations where you must handle particularly suited for situations when you are not sure how

1. Venting: Releases gas that has expanded within the PROS you must handle many fish to vent or when you are worried about potential predation swim bladder so the fish can return to depth on its • No sharp objects required many fish quickly. quickly on released fish. own. • Easy to learn • Increases fish survival rates Venting is quick and tools are cheap, but there is a risk of 2. Weighted descent: Returns fish to capture when performed correctly • Minimizes predation risk by injuring or killing the fish if you don’t get it right. Descending involves using a weighted device that attaches depth quickly. assisting fish to return to a to or encloses the fish, forcibly recompressing expanded gas • Tools are small, inexpensive, safer haven on the bottom and convenient. as quickly as possible TOOLS within the fish’s body by returning it to depth. This allows Studies show that the fish to regain its natural buoyancy and swim away.

both approaches Venting involves the use of a sharp, hollow instrument that

are effective when • Puncture risk to angler • Potential extra gear on boat is inserted through the muscle to g n

i

t

applied correctly. puncture the swim bladder wall n

• Research indicates ~50% • Potential extra cost e

CONS v

and release gas that has expanded r

The approaches have of anglers vent incorrectly, o f

• Potential added time different advantages resulting in injury or death within it upon ascent. A variety of n

o involved in pulling the i t to the fish. venting tools are available. You can a and disadvantages – e c t weighted gear up to surface o a l W r e l choose the one that is c • Fish is released at surface, also make your own from any sharp d P l i o S n g o - p lk • Not every tool works for re o h t s li i a ss to te se ha c m requiring it to swim down and hollow instrument. Knives and le ur se d a pe ok best for you, and make every fishing situation g ized relea spring rele d wire ho ed n ht on its own. This increases r a sure you know how to ig ice picks are not suitable, because ope We predation risk. Pr do it correctly. they do not provide an escape route for the gas.

WHY DO IT? BAROTRAUMA BAROTRAUMA MITIGATION Recreational anglers, commercial fishermen and Barotrauma Weighted descent forcibly returns occurs when the fish to depth, where the fisheries managers support the use of barotrauma fish are pressure is greater and the fish is mitigation strategies to increase survival rates of brought up recompressed. released fishes. from depth. The condition Common weighted descent becomes more Fisheries regulations that require fish to be released severe when concerns among anglers will only be effective if fish survive. Reducing discard fishing in include: deeper water. mortality could lead to more fishing opportunities in • the fear of descending gear the future. Swim Bladder scaring away fish Stomach Pectoral Fin • increased predation on the CAREFUL HANDLING POINTS Vent here (at 45-degree angle just under the skin’s surface) fish and tool • and a steep learning curve The quicker the fish gets back in the water the better Venting decompresses the fish before release. it will do. Use gear that minimizes fight and handling However, most descending times, reducing stress on the fish. Have dehooking and A common misconception gear is relatively simple and barotrauma tools ready for use. Gas expansion continues is that venting is bad for there is minimal evidence and barotrauma severity increases the longer the fish is the fish. However, most of decreased catchability or at the surface. fish caught shallower than increased predation. Every situation is different. Some Reef fish rely on structure for refuge. While at the surface 125 ft. will heal quickly if anglers may encounter or in open water, vulnerbility to predators increases and vented appropriately. different obstacles depending is magnified by stress after a capture event. Common venting tools (right). Pictured images do not imply on their location and situation. S-shaped wire hook clip commercial endorsement. demonstrated in illustration