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Physiological stress and reflex impairment of recreationally angled bonefish in Puerto Rico

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Abstract

Bonefish (Albula spp.) are a popular target for recreational anglers practicing primarily catch-and-release (C&R). The effects of C&R on bonefish have been previously examined in subtropical regions of The Bahamas. However, it is unclear how these findings relate to larger bonefish, as well as those caught in warmer, tropical environments. Here we examined the effects of C&R on physiological stress and reflex impairment in bonefish in tropical Culebra, Puerto Rico. Bonefish (Albula vulpes; 56.6 ± 5.0 cm total length, mean ± SE) were angled with spinning or fly fishing gear and either handled entirely in the water without air exposure (n = 12) or exposed to air for 2 min to simulate an aerial hook removal and admiration period (n = 11). Upon capture, bonefish were assessed for the presence of five reflexes and held in floating net pens for 1 h prior to phlebotomy for quantification of physiological stress. Blood lactate and pH were correlated with fight time, but linear models showed air exposure and water temperature were better predictors of physiological stress. Compared to previous research using simulated angling events, larger bonefish in warmer water under true angling scenarios had similar physiological stress responses. Two minutes of air exposure caused significant reflex impairment, which is a strong predictor of post release behavioural impairment and mortality risk in this species. Air exposure should be avoided with bonefish, especially with larger fish and at warmer water temperatures to minimize negative impacts and ensure the sustainability of C&R bonefish angling.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been supported in part by the University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program. We like to thank Craig Lilyestrom (Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico), Ricardo Colón-Merced and Ana Roman (Culebra National Wildlife Refuges, US Fish and Wildlife Service), Capt. Chris Goldmark, Sammy Hernandez, Zorida Mendez, Todd and Shellie Plaia, and Henry Cruz for their logistical support. We also thank Jim Shulin (Temple Fork Outfitters), Simon Gawesworth (RIO Products), Al Perkinson and Marguerite Meyer (Costa), Brian Bennett (Patagonia/Moldy Chum), and Brian Schmidt (Umpqua) for their in-kind support. Brownscombe is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Cooke is supported by NSERC and the Canada Research Chairs program and is a Bonefish and Tarpon Trust Research Fellow. This research was approved by the Canadian Council on Animal Care through the Carleton University Animal Care Committee (application 11473).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada

    Jacob W. Brownscombe & Steven J. Cooke

  2. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Lucas P. Griffin, Tyler Gagne, Christopher R. Haak & Andy J. Danylchuk

Authors
  1. Jacob W. Brownscombe
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  2. Lucas P. Griffin
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  3. Tyler Gagne
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  4. Christopher R. Haak
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  5. Steven J. Cooke
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  6. Andy J. Danylchuk
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Correspondence to Jacob W. Brownscombe.

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Brownscombe, J.W., Griffin, L.P., Gagne, T. et al. Physiological stress and reflex impairment of recreationally angled bonefish in Puerto Rico. Environ Biol Fish 98, 2287–2295 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-015-0444-y

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