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Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Physical Characteristics and Physiological Responses to Angling of Striped Bass
Author(s) -
Ridley Christine A.,
Isely J. Jeffery,
Tomasso Joseph R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017<0791:eosfop>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - bass (fish) , fishing , zoology , biology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , plasma glucose , sea bass , endocrinology , insulin
Striped bass Morone saxatilis (initial total length 38.7 ± 1.31 cm, mean ± SD) were either fed or not for two summer months in warmwater ponds (23–30°C). At the beginning, middle, and end of the study, fish from each group were captured with hook and line. Half the fish from each feeding treatment were landed as quickly as possible (20 ± 7.7 s) and half were played for 180 ± 7.5 s. Immediately after landing, fish were weighed, measured and bled. Fed fish maintained their absolute and relative weight during the study while unfed fish did not. Plasma glucose concentrations increased in both fed and unfed fish with long play. On average, glucose concentrations in both short‐ and long‐play groups were higher in fed fish. Plasma lactate concentrations were higher in fed fish played for 180 s than in the unfed fish played 180 s. Plasma osmolalities were higher in fish played 180 s than in fish played 20 s, and were similar between fed and unfed fish. The results of this study indicate that the growth and condition of striped bass were impaired when denied adequate nutrition in warmwater ponds during the summer months. Physiological responses to angling were also impaired and such impairment may affect survival or released fish in a catch and release fishery.