Physiological effects of catch and release angling in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at different stages of freshwater migration

Physiological response of wild rainbow trout to angling: impact of angling duration, fish size, body condition, and temperature

“…Alagnak River rainbow trout with greater landing and handling times presumably experienced a greater peak plasma cortisol and lactate response and longer recovery period than fish captured more quickly. Studies have found mortality from exhaustive exercise to manifest in hours to several days after the exercise event (Black, 1958;Dotson, 1982;Brobbel et al, 1996;Wilkie et al, 1996). Although minimal immediate mortality was observed in this study, it is difficult to predict the recovery times or delayed mortality rates of captured fish because they were not held after capture for observation or repeat sampling.…”

“…Few studies have examined the relationship between body condition and the physiological response to exhaustive exercise in fish. Brobbel et al (1996) reported that condition factor was highest in bright Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) angled to exhaustion compared to levels in kelts, and bright salmon took significantly longer to angle. The positive relationship between weight/length residuals and plasma lactate suggests that more 'robust' fish (higher weight/length ratio) experienced more anaerobic exercise during angling than less robust fish.…”

“…In previous studies where the relationship between capture by angling and the subsequent physiological response was examined, fish were typically anesthetized in a tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) solution before blood sampling, and the times in anesthesia and for blood withdrawal were generally not factored into the analysis (Wydoski et al, 1976;Booth et al, 1995;Brobbel et al, 1996). The physiological stress response of fish anesthetized in MS-222 or clove oil solution has ranged from minimal to significant, largely depending on the duration of time fish are in the anesthetic, the specific anesthetic and dose, when the dose was delivered, and the species of study (Barton and Peter, 1982;Tort et al, 2002;Wagner et al, 2002).…”

“…In addition to studies focusing on the relationship between hooking injury and mortality (e.g., Muoneke and Childress, 1994), many studies indicate the importance of the physiological disturbance during the angling process as contributing to mortality (Wydoski et al, 1976;Dotson, 1982). In general, studies documenting the physiological disturbance of wild fish from hooking stress have found minimal mortality (Wydoski et al, 1976;Gustaveson et al, 1991;Tufts et al, 1991;Pankhurst and Dedual, 1994;Booth et al, 1995;Brobbel et al, 1996). However, mortality may increase when fish are angled at warmer water temperatures (Dotson, 1982;Titus and Vanicek, 1988;Wilkie et al, 1996).…”

Changes in blood cortisol, glucose and lactate in carp retained in anglers' keepnets

“…Physical and physiological factors of concern include the extent of exertion during playing and landing, the physical effect of hooking and handling the fish, exposure of fish within keepnets to harmful deterioration in water quality, and the possible initiation of a physiological stress response consequent to the combined effects of capture, handling, restraint and confinement. Some information is available regarding the welfare of individual fish and the effects of angling pressure on populations of fish (Brana et al, 1992;Brobbel et al, 1996) and there are limited data available concerning mortality arising from hook damage (Bugley & Shepherd, 1991;Dedual, 1996;Dextrase & Ball, 1991;Muoneke & Childress, 1994;Malchoff & Heins, 1997) and the recovery of rod-caught fish post-capture (Ferguson & Tufts, 1992;Pankhurst & Dedual, 1994;Wilkie et al, 1996). However, the species and conditions employed in these studies are not strictly relevant to United Kingdom non-salmonid fisheries, in which catch-and-return angling is prevalent.…”