#Barotrauma in fish how to

Venting is a traditional barotrauma mitigation method that is particularly suited for situations where you must handle many fish quickly. Research has shown that venting works when performed properly.

#Barotrauma in fish how to

The approaches have different advantages and disadvantages-choose the one that is best for you, and make sure you know how to do it correctly.įigure 4. Studies show that both approaches are effective when applied correctly.

Weighted descent returns fish to capture depth quickly.

Venting releases gas that has expanded within the swim bladder so that the fish can return to depth on its own.

There are two ways you can help fish suffering from barotrauma. What can you do? Use Venting or Weighted Descent to Help a Fish with Barotrauma

Reducing discard mortality could lead to more fishing opportunities in the future. Fishery regulations that require fish to be released will only be effective if fish survive. Certain species are more susceptible than others, and high temperatures may increase the severity of barotrauma. Credit: Hayden Staley, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissionīarotrauma severity and likelihood increases with depth most cases occur deeper than 30 feet. Signs of barotrauma also include bubbling scales, and inability to return to depth. Physical signs of barotrauma include protrusion of the stomach from the fish's mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, bubbling scales, and distended intestines.įigure 2. When this occurs, fish may be unable to return to depth after you release it. This may result in an overinflated or ruptured swim bladder as well as other pressure-related injuries, creating a condition called barotrauma. A reef fish caught from deep water often will experience an expansion of gases in its swim bladder as it is brought to the surface. What is barotrauma?īarotrauma is an injury caused by a change in pressure. This publication provides an overview of barotrauma and barotrauma mitigation methods. For fish caught in deeper water, part of successful release involves relieving barotrauma in fish whose swim bladders have expanded during their ascent to the surface, leaving them too buoyant to descend on their own. 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, which benefits fish populations and the future of fisheries. Betty Staugler, Holly Abeels, Angela Collins, Shelly Krueger, and Kai LorenzenĮxperienced offshore anglers are all too familiar with having to release fish that are too small, out of season, or just bycatch.