University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Capture-induced physiological stress and postrelease mortality for southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) from a recreational fishery

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 21:57 authored by Sean TraceySean Tracey, Klaas HartmannKlaas Hartmann, Melanie Leef, Jaime McAllisterJaime McAllister
Southern bluefin tuna (SBT; Thunnus maccoyii) are a popular component of the recreational large pelagic game fishery in Australia. The fishery is managed using individual fisher catch limits. Fifty-nine pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags were attached to individual SBT to estimate postrelease survival (PRS) rates. Fish caught on lures configured with J-hooks (n = 44) and those caught on circle hooks (n = 8) had similar PRS rates and were combined to increase sample size, revealing a PRS estimate of 83.0% (95% CI: 75.9%–90.7%, n = 54). The PRS estimate of fish caught on lures with treble hooks was much lower, 60% (95% CI: 20%–100%, n = 5). By sampling blood from 233 fish, including 56 of the PAT-tagged individuals, we show that angling duration is related to an elevation of lactate, cortisol, and osmolarity in blood plasma, indicative of increased physiological stress. Physical damage related to hooking location, angling duration, biochemical indicators of physiological stress, and handling duration were not identified as significant factors leading to postrelease mortality. The results quantify a previously unaccounted source of mortality for SBT.

Funding

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation

History

Publication title

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Volume

73

Issue

10

Pagination

1547-1556

ISSN

0706-652X

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Natl Research Council Canada

Place of publication

Research Journals, Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Canada, Ontario, K1A 0R6

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 The Authors

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Fisheries - wild caught not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC