Premium
Post‐release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes , exposed to different handling practices during catch‐and‐release angling in Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Author(s) -
DANYLCHUK A. J.,
DANYLCHUK S. E.,
COOKE S. J.,
GOLDBERG T. L.,
KOPPELMAN J. B.,
PHILIPP D. P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2007.00535.x
Subject(s) - vulpes , fishing , fishery , catch and release , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , ecology , zoology , predation , recreational fishing
Bonefish, Albula spp., are popular sportfish that inhabit shallow nearshore environments in tropical and subtropical seas. Although catch and release is a common voluntary practice for anglers seeking bonefish, the post‐release fate of bonefish is poorly understood. Gastrically implanted acoustic transmitters were used to assess the short‐term (<48 h) and long‐term (>48 h) post‐release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes (Linnaeus), in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, subjected to gentle handling (quick retrieval, 0–15 s of air exposure and brief handling time) or rough handling (longer retrieval, 30–60 s of air exposure and extended handling time). Of the 12 fish captured and released, one was preyed upon by two lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (Poey), within the first hour post‐release, and this fish was handled roughly. The transmitter from another bonefish was found on the substratum 2 days post‐release near the site at which the fish was originally caught. Of the remaining 10 fish, all were tracked and alive for at least 13 days and up to 24 days, suggesting that the negative impacts of catch‐and‐release angling that lead to mortality for bonefish likely occur within minutes post‐release.