Abstract
Release of fish captured by recreational anglers is a common practice due to angler conservation ethics or compliance with fisheries regulations. As such, there is a need to understand the factors that influence mortality and sub-lethal impairments to ensure that catch-and-release angling is a sustainable practice. Longer angling times generally contribute to increased stress and mortality in fish such that reducing these times putatively reduces stress and improves survival. However, the relative importance of fight intensity (rather than simply duration) on fish condition is poorly understood. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of fight intensity on physiological stress and reflex impairment of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The largemouth bass were angled using conventional recreational fishing gear in May (water temperature ∼12°C) and June (∼22°C) of 2014 in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, Canada. Fight intensity was quantified using tri-axial accelerometer loggers mounted on the tips of fishing rods. Upon capture, reflex impairment measures were assessed, and fish were held for 1 h prior to blood sampling for measurement of physiological stress (blood glucose and lactate concentrations and pH). Physiological stress values showed a negative trend with fight duration and total fight intensity, but a positive trend with average fight intensity. Water temperature emerged as the most important predictor of the stress response in largemouth bass, while fight duration and intensity were not strong predictors. Reflex impairment was minimal, but higher reflex impairment scores were associated with elevated blood glucose. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that angling for largemouth bass at colder temperatures (<15°C) causes greater physiological stress than at warmer temperatures (>20°C). Based on our findings, we conclude that fight intensity is likely not to be a major driver of physiological stress in this species using typical largemouth bass angling gear, owing to the relatively short fight times (i.e. <2 min).
Highlights
Catch-and-release angling is growing in popularity worldwide as a management and conservation strategy (Cowx 2002; Arlinghaus et al, 2007)
While catch-andrelease angling can be an effective conservation strategy, stressors associated with angling can have negative impacts on fish fitness that may lead to population-level effects
Fight duration and total fight intensity were not correlated with any measured physiological stress responses or reflex impairment scores in angled largemouth bass
Summary
Catch-and-release angling is growing in popularity worldwide as a management and conservation strategy (Cowx 2002; Arlinghaus et al, 2007). While catch-andrelease angling can be an effective conservation strategy, stressors associated with angling (i.e. hooking, fighting, handling and air exposure) can have negative impacts on fish fitness that may lead to population-level effects (reviewed by Cooke and Suski, 2005; Arlinghaus et al, 2007). The minimization of angling times and air exposure and the avoidance of angling at extreme temperatures can reduce physiological stress, behavioural impairment and mortality (Cooke and Suski, 2005). The potential impacts of angling on this species are well studied (reviewed by Siepker et al, 2007) and can include physiological stress, behavioural impairment (reduced foraging abilities or nest guarding during reproductive period in the spring) and mortality (Philipp et al, 1997; Cooke et al, 2002; Suski et al, 2003; Thompson et al, 2008; White et al, 2008). Economic and social importance of largemouth bass, understanding and minimizing the impacts of catch-andrelease angling on this species is important
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