Barotrauma Effects and Mitigation in Recreational Fisheries

Barotrauma arises when fish are rapidly brought to the surface from depth, causing expansion of gases in the swim bladder and related structures. These pressure‐related injuries can lead to swim bladder rupture, exophthalmia, venous gas emboli and prolapsed organs. The severity of barotrauma varies with capture depth, species physiology and surface temperature, often resulting in both immediate and delayed mortality. Sublethal impacts include impaired swimming performance, altered behaviour and reduced predator evasion, which can extend days or weeks after release. To address these challenges, fisheries managers and recreational anglers have evaluated a suite of mitigation strategies. Venting involves puncturing the swim bladder to relieve excess gases, while recompression returns fish rapidly to depth using weighted descender devices. Evidence shows that both approaches markedly improve post‐release survival, though efficacy is species- and depth-dependent. Success hinges on correct handling techniques, minimal air exposure, and sufficient water depth to allow recovery. Ongoing research emphasises the importance of integrating physiological, behavioural and social dimensions to optimise release methods and support sustainable recreational fisheries globally.

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Barotrauma Effects and Mitigation in Recreational Fisheries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in barotrauma effects and mitigation in recreational fisheries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Barotrauma: Physical trauma resulting from rapid pressure change, typically causing gas expansion in the swim bladder.

Venting: A method of relieving excess swim bladder gas by inserting a needle or lancet through the body wall.

Recompression: The rapid return of a captured fish to its original depth using weighted devices to contract expanded gases.

Descender device: A weighted tool designed to carry fish back to depth for recompression and recovery.

Sublethal effects: Non-fatal injuries or behavioural impairments that may reduce long-term fitness after release.

Delayed mortality: Death occurring hours to days after release, often linked to physiological stress and sublethal damage.

References

1. Post-release survival of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and red grouper (Epinephelus morio) using different barotrauma mitigation methods. Fisheries Research (2023).
2. Recreational fishers’ awareness and adoption of strategies to minimise post-release mortality in demersal fish. Fisheries Research (2024).
3. Post-release survival and prolonged sublethal effects of capture and barotrauma on deep-dwelling rockfishes (genus Sebastes): implications for fish management and conservation. ICES Journal of Marine Science (2021).