Laboratory Evaluation of Artificial Swim Bladder Deflation in Largemouth Bass: Potential Benefits for Catch-and-Release Fisheries

Abstract

Artificial swim bladder deflation was examined as a technique to increase postrelease survival of largemouth bass Micropterus saltnoides caught from deep water. Depressurizalion was simulated with a hyperbaric chamber. Largemouth bass showed clinical depressurization signs when depressurized from a simulated depth of 3.5 m and were unable to immediately submerge when depressurized from 8.4 m. When depressurized from a simulated depth of 10.5 m. largemouth bass experienced 07c mortality when subsequently held at 14°C but 78% mortality when held at 28°C. Survivors floated for more than 6 h. a response that could expose them to higher water temperatures in stratified lakes and to increased predation. illegal harvest, and injury. Depressurized largemouth bass that had their swim bladders deflated by being punctured with a hypodermic needle were able to submerge and experienced no mortality when transferred to 14°C or 28°C. The punctured swim bladders were functional immediately. Growth over 4 weeks did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between largemouth bass with or without artificially deflated swim bladders, and no deaths occurred over this period. We recommend artificial swim bladder deflation for largemouth bass showing depressurization signs and caught from depths greater than 6 m.

The post-release behaviour and fate of tournament-caught smallmouth bass after ‘fizzing’ to alleviate distended swim bladders

“…Similar to past studies on gas bladder deflation, we found no mortality in fish with barotrauma that were subjected to fizzing (e.g., Bruesewitz et al, 1993;Shasteen and Sheehan, 1997). Other studies recorded mortality but found no significant difference between deflated fish and non-deflated fish (e.g., Lee, 1992;Gitschlag and Renaud, 1994), and some studies have shown a positive effect of artificial swim bladder deflation on yellow perch (Keniry et al, 1996), black sea bass and vermillion snapper (Collins et al, 1999).…”

“…At present, there is apprehension about fizzing because of the potential to inadvertently puncture vital organs and introduce pathogens. In addition, it is unknown whether the fizzed fish are behaviourally compromised and may be unable to swim effectively to avoid predators or forage for food (Shasteen and Sheehan, 1997). Most studies to date on fizzing have been completed in laboratories (e.g., Keniry et al, 1996;Shasteen and Sheehan, 1997), or using mark recapture methods (e.g., Lee, 1992;Bruesewitz et al, 1993).…”

Immediate fate of angled-and-released Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata

“…Although, no immediate negative consequences of barotrauma were observed, Hall et al (2009) highlighted the probability of at least some longer-term mortalities, which is also supported by the results of previous studies with other species (Feathers & Knable, 1983;Keniry et al, 1996;Gravel & Cooke, 2008). Venting could be an appropriate mitigation strategy, although there is debate over the effectiveness of this approach, mainly due to considerable species-specific variation in responses (Keniry et al, 1996;Shasteen & Sheehan, 1997;Collins et al, 1999). Further work is required to assess the benefits or otherwise of this procedure for Australian bass.…”

Do Catch-and-Release Guidelines from State and Provincial Fisheries Agencies in North America Conform to Scientifically Based Best Practices?

“…Environ Manage (2007) 39:760-773 765 Several studies have examined the impact of decompression in fish (Gotshall 1964;Feathers and Knable 1983;Lee 1992;Keniry et al 1996;Shasteen and Sheehan 1997). Most of these have focused on initial or delayed mortality after decompression in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).…”