Catch-and-release (C&R) angling is a powerful tool for reducing impacts on recreationally targeted fishes. Although C&R can be mandated in fisheries through regulation, voluntary adoption and ...informal management are often critical due to minimal enforcement opportunities. Anglers themselves may play a role in increasing C&R adoption through interpersonal sanctioning (i.e., self-policing). To date, little research has examined factors that predict the willingness of anglers to sanction others' behavior. We present results from surveys (n = 49) with anglers in Argentina to explore their motivations to sanction other anglers within their stakeholder community. Anglers with the strongest intentions to sanction were younger and more open to adopting best practices, identified fishing as important to their lifestyle, and expressed high environmental concern relative to other anglers. Our findings highlight the role that recreational anglers can play in promoting best practices via interpersonal sanctioning and identify barriers that inhibit this type of action.
The biological consequences of catch-and-release (C&R) angling revolve around interactions between the physiological and behavioural responses of the captured fish and ecological conditions such as ...the presence of opportunistic predators. Here, we explored the consequences of C&R on adult permit (Trachinotus falcatus), including assessments of depredation rates, their physiological and reflex responses prior to release, post-release behaviour, and post-release predation in diverse habitats in the Florida Keys, USA. We found pre-capture depredation rates were highly variable amongst habitat types, ranging from zero on shallow water flats, to 35.3% and 90.1% on specific reef and shipwreck locations, respectively. Observed predators were all large sharks. Importantly, one of the high predation sites is an important permit spawning location, thus C&R fishing in that locale may be a conservation concern. Physiological stress responses (blood lactate, glucose, pH) and reflex tests indicated that permit were relatively robust to routine angling (fight durations of 1 to 12 min) and handling (air exposure up to 2 min). Short duration post-release tracking using tri-axial acceleration biologgers identified no differences in swimming activity for fish that were kept in water versus those held in the air for 2 min to simulate an admiration period. While this study indicates that permit are relatively robust to C&R angling in terms of stress responses and behavioural impairment, high densities of opportunistic predators at certain fishing locations can result in high rates of pre-capture depredation independent of the state of the animal. Permit angling in locations with high predator densities is a potential conservation issue, especially if specific locations represent important pre-spawning aggregation sites for fish populations that may be more vulnerable to predation and thus depredation. Current C&R best practices (i.e., limiting fight times and air exposure) may not be adequate to ensure permit survival at high predator density sites. Angling-related depredation is often cryptic, yet is a growing conservation concern in many fisheries – we developed and applied a novel framework for identifying cryptic depredation that may be applicable across fisheries.
•Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) show resiliency to catch-and-release angling events.•Depredation represents a potential conservation concern at specific sites in the Florida Keys.•Changes in angler behaviour could effective in supporting conservation efforts.
Sustainable catch-and-release fisheries are based on the assumption that most fish survive an angling event. The adoption of best practices has become important to help mitigate post-release injury, ...behavioral impairment and mortality. However, in any catch-and-release fishery, a proportion of fish will become inadvertently deeply hooked (e.g., in the gullet) and numerous studies have shown this to be a major driver of mortality. Although available science suggests that cutting the line tends to yield better outcomes than removing hooks in the gullet, there has been interest within the angling community with removing hooks using the “through-the-gill” method where the hook shaft is turned outwards into the gill region and then the hook is removed by pulling anteriorly by gripping the outside bend of the hook. Here, we tested the efficacy of removing barbed and barbless hooks though the gill opening from experimentally deep-hooked Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to leaving the hooks in place. Using a control group and four experimental treatment groups (barbed and removed through the gills; barbless and removed through gills; barbed and left in; barbless and left in), we evaluated handling time, presence of bleeding, incidence of gill or esophageal injury, reflex impairment, incidence of hook shedding (for the left in treatment groups), and survival across a 24-hour monitoring period. Collectively, our results suggested that when hooks were barbed and removed through the gills, fish condition and survival were lower. In addition, barbed hooks were more likely to cause bleeding, gill damage, esophageal tearing, and impair reflexes. When hook removal was done through the gills, the chances of all sublethal outcomes across all categories were more likely to occur. While short-term mortality was not statistically linked with any treatment group, the greatest percentage of mortality (24%) occurred for fish that had barbed hooks removed using the through-the-gill method. These data suggest that when anglers use barbed hooks and encounter a deeply hooked fish, cutting the line poses the least risk to the fish.
•We evaluated the use of the “through-the-gill” method to remove hooks from the gullet of deeply hooked fish.•Hook removal via the gills increased the chances of sublethal outcomes, particularly for barbed hooks.•The highest mortality (24%) occurred for fish that had barbed hooks removed using the through-the-gill method.•When anglers use barbed hooks and encounter a deeply hooked fish, cutting the line poses the least risk to the fish.
•Participatory acoustic telemetry networks was used to study migratory Atlantic tarpon.•Model-driven methods and network analysis used to generate meaningful inferences.•There is a management scale ...mismatch with the ecology of Atlantic tarpon.•We present lessons and potential to monitor species across institutional networks.
Understanding the nature of migratory behaviors within animal populations is critical to develop and refine conservation and management plans. However, tracking migratory marine animals across life stages and over multiple years is inherently difficult to achieve, especially for highly migratory species. In this paper, we explore the use of acoustic telemetry to characterize the spatial ecology of Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), elucidate the ecology of this poorly studied species, and ultimately inform conservation and management. Using the data from twenty-two acoustically tagged Atlantic tarpon, we found a diversity of tarpon migratory patterns, including spatial and temporal overlap for some individuals. We also reveal fine scale movements within specific ecosystems, as well as a range of distributions and connectivity across coastal waters of the southeastern United States of America. For tarpon with tracking durations greater than one month (n = 13), we found heterogeneous space use and migratory connectivity with some tarpon remaining close to their capture location while others migrated hundreds of kilometers. In addition, we were able to identify a northern and southern limit for one migratory tarpon that had detections spanning over 365 days. We share analyses on Atlantic tarpon data, including model-driven approaches and network analysis, to investigate movement strategies and space use, which may be pertinent to other studies involving highly migratory species. The project was a collaborative effort involving several acoustic telemetry networks which enabled the monitoring of broad- and fine-scale movements for extended periods of time that would normally be difficult to achieve with other monitoring techniques. Although challenges exist with applying acoustic telemetry to monitor highly migratory species, we also discuss its value in enabling researchers to assess movements and space use beyond the focal species, such as cross-ecosystem comparisons and multi-species interactions.
Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) support an economically important fishery, yet there is limited information on the status of their fishery and population. A survey consisting of anglers and ...fishing guides was administered to help address these data deficiencies and to better understand the current and historical status of the recreational Atlantic tarpon fishery. An additional goal was to assess perceived threats to Atlantic tarpon and understand what anglers and fishing guides view as priorities for improved conservation and management efforts. Respondents (n = 918 completed surveys) indicated a significant decline in fishing quality since the 1970s. Respondents perceived water and habitat quality as the greatest threats to Atlantic tarpon populations and restoration of those as the top conservation priorities. Respondents also supported regulations that prohibit harvest (i.e., catch-and-release only), increased science efforts to understand Atlantic tarpon ecology for conservation solutions, and spatial management, such as pole-troll zones (i.e., where high speed motorboat travel is prohibited). Support for conservation solutions varied between those that targeted Atlantic tarpon with spin and fly gear, with fly gear anglers having higher support for increased regulatory oversight. With individual guides losing, on average, 2–7 Atlantic tarpon per year to sharks over the last five years, shark encounters appear to be increasing and are located in areas where Atlantic tarpon seasonally aggregate, such as passes. Given the chronic data-limited situation, local ecological knowledge derived from recreational anglers and fishing guides provide an important source of knowledge for the current and future conservation of Atlantic tarpon populations.
•Local ecological knowledge was used to assess conservation strategies.•There is a significant decline in Atlantic tarpon fishing quality since the 1970s.•Water and habitat quality were the top conservation priorities for Atlantic tarpon.•Differences existed across angler groups that use either fly gear or spin gear.•Shark encounters appear to be increasing in areas such as passes.
Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis, GT) are growing in popularity as a target for tourism-based recreational fisheries throughout their range in the Indo-Pacific. Although predominately ...catch-and-release (C&R), to date there is no species-specific scientific evidence to support capture and handling guidelines. As such, we examined how GT caught via fly fishing gear while in shallow water responded to capture and handling in the Alphonse Island Group, Republic of the Seychelles. Specifically, we evaluated the physical injury for GTs captured via fly fishing gear, as well as their reflex impairment and post-release activity (using tri-axial accelerometer biologgers) following three air exposure treatments (0 s, 15 s, 30 s). We also had a reference treatment where GTs were caught and landed quickly via a handline, and not exposed to air (0 s) prior to release. Hooking location for both gear types was predominately the jaw or corner of the mouth (fly fishing, n = 30; 83.3%; handline; n = 12, 85.7%), but one fish hooked in a critical location for each capture gear. Across all treatments, only one fish (2%) in the handline treatment was considered a potential short-term post-release mortality following being deeply hooked in the gills and subsequently losing equilibrium upon release. GT reflex impairment and overall post-release activity measured via overall dynamic body acceleration were not influenced by fight time and air exposure treatments used in our study. For GTs across all treatments, locomotor activity was lower in the initial minutes following release than during the second half of the ten minute monitoring period. Overall, our study suggests that GTs in the Alphonse Island Group are resilient to being caught via fly fishing, handled, and air exposed for up to 30 s. However, given the diversity of angling locations for GTs (e.g., shallow flats, deeper reefs) and gear types (e.g., conventional tackle, lures with several treble hooks), additional assessments are needed to help act as the foundation for more universal best practices that can inform management plans for GT recreational fisheries.
•Giant trevally support a growing catch-and-release recreational fishery.•Giant trevally were resilient to capture and handling via fly fishing.•Minimal behavior impacts will contribute to effective management.•Longer-term studies are needed on other angling-based disturbances.
•Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is an increasingly popular catch-and-release fish species in South America.•This study provides insight into best practices development for this previously ...unevaluated recreational fishery.•Notable correlations were physiological stress with air exposure and handling, and fallback at release with reflex impairment.•Short-term radio tag relocations (42-day tracking period) suggested a maximum 8% mortality.•Recreational anglers can reduce the consequences of catch-and-release on golden dorado by minimizing air exposure and reducing handling times.
Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is increasing in popularity as a target of recreational anglers practicing catch-and-release (C&R) in northern Argentina and bordering countries, however science-based best practices have yet to be developed for this iconic freshwater gamefish. We assessed the consequences of C&R on golden dorado captured by anglers on the Juramento River, in Salta, Argentina. Physical injury, physiological stress responses (blood glucose, lactate, pH), reflex impairment, and movement response post-release were compared among handling treatments for golden dorado. The 0min and 2min air exposure groups had significantly higher blood glucose and blood lactate concentrations relative to fish in the baseline group, while blood pH indicated evidence of acidosis in the 2min air exposure treatment relative to baseline values. Golden dorado in the 2min air exposure group also had significantly greater reflex impairment compared to fish without air exposure. An additional 24 golden dorado were affixed with radio tags to examine short-term (20min) post-release behavior with air-exposure treatments of 0min (n=11) and 2min (n=9), as well as fish that were transported downstream in submerged recovery bags (n=4). Subsequent relocations of tagged golden dorado were conducted every 1–2days up to 8 weeks after capture. Upon immediate release, fish often exhibited fallback (−43±49m, n=20), although post-release movement was not significantly different among treatment groups. Fallback distance was correlated with total reflex impairment scores. The translocated fish released downstream exhibited greater upstream movement immediately following release, with three fish returning to the location of capture within 4–12days. No immediate mortality was observed for golden dorado in the physiology assessment, and limited evidence of short-term mortality was present for tracked fish (22 of 24 tagged fish movement detected>2days post-tagging, ≤8% mortality). Our results indicate that minimizing air exposure should be advocated as part of guidelines for C&R for golden dorado. Our study also revealed that impairment of the equilibrium reflex is useful for anglers as an indicator for golden dorado vitality and potential need for monitoring recovery prior to release.
Juvenile green turtles occupy coastal marine habitats important for their ontogeny; however, the details of their movement, connectivity, and space use in these developmental habitats are still ...poorly understood. Given that these areas are often threatened by human disturbance, additional information on green turtle spatial ecology is needed to meet conservation endpoints for this endangered species. For this study, we used fixed passive acoustic telemetry to (1) describe movement patterns and connectivity of immature green turtles within, outside, and across 2 bays, Manglar and Tortuga bays, on Culebra and Culebrita islands, Puerto Rico; and (2) determine spatio-temporal drivers of the presence and absence of turtles within Manglar Bay. Network analysis used to quantify movement patterns showed that turtles in our study exhibited differential space use with little to no connectivity across the 2 bays. In addition, turtles exhibited high site fidelity, with larger turtles leaving on brief trips. We applied a presence-absence Bayesian binomial model on a subset of 9 turtles at an hourly temporal scale and showed that turtles within Manglar Bay occupied areas of lagoon and seagrass habitats at night and were rarely using areas of macroalgae habitat. The parameter estimates from the model enabled us to predict the space use of turtles across Manglar Bay, and the hourly probability distributions highlighted predictive diel movement patterns across the bay. Considering the importance of juvenile and subadult life stages for population viability, we recommend continued protection of these critical juvenile turtle developmental habitats to ensure recruitment into the adult life stage.
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of comorbidities in obese and morbidly obese children with a comparison between the 2 sets of children.
This was a ...retrospective electronic chart review of obese and morbidly obese children and adolescents as defined by body mass index. We evaluated medical history of comorbid conditions, medication use, and cardiovascular risk markers, including blood pressure, lipid profile, and glycosylated hemoglobin.
There were 1,111 subjects (African American = 635; non-Hispanic white = 364; Hispanic = 36; others = 86), of which 274 were obese and 837 were morbidly obese children with a mean age of 12.7 ± 3.37 years. Morbidly obese children had a higher prevalence of prediabetes (19.5% of obese versus 27.3% of morbidly obese; P<.0001) and type 2 diabetes (39.8% of obese versus 52.4% of morbidly obese; P<.0001). Use of medications for treatment of asthma was significantly higher in the morbidly obese group compared with the obese group (21% versus 14%; P = .01).
Morbidly obese children have a higher prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes, and use of asthma medications compared with obese children.
Recreational fishing is a growing sector of tourism, and in theory, can be done in a sustainable manner such as through catch-and-release where fish are released rather than harvested. In some cases, ...stakeholders have taken the initiative to develop conservation strategies and management guidelines, as well as establishing monitoring programs of the resources they use. In this work, we provide a case study of a cooperative monitoring program in the Alphonse Group, Republic of the Seychelles, Africa, between a fishing company (Alphonse Fishing Company) and a local non-governmental organization (Island Conservation Society). These efforts have resulted in a code of conduct for the catch-and-release of target species, as well as long-term spatially explicit monitoring of catches, including fish size and catch location for five popular species through catch logs. During three seasons, the five key fish species monitored were giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis, n = 684), moustache triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens, n = 141), Indo-Pacific permit (Trachinotus blochii, n = 99), milkfish (Chanos chanos, n = 55), and yellowmargin triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus, n = 46). We found monthly catch variability across all species and that catches across seasons increased for C. ignobilis (203.8%), T. blochii (45.5%), and B. viridescens (25%), and decreased for C. chanos (-65.6%) and P. flavimarginatus (-10%). Although there are considerations with implementing and maintaining such initiatives, we reviewed the benefits, including how these efforts can serve as the foundation for more thorough scientific research, co-production, and evidence-based management for the most sought-after species, C. ignobilis. We highlight how these cooperative initiatives may lead to formal co-management structures in recreational fishing, and also help to build capacity in government agencies for advancing economic prosperity while establishing sound long-term management and conservation strategies.
•Remote tourism-based catch-and-release recreational angling ventures are emerging.•Baseline fisheries data is often lacking but needed for sustainable use.•Catch log data provided spatially explicit maps of high-pressured fishing areas.•Monitoring by stakeholders provides foundation for evidence-based management.•Data collection may be inhibited due to competing demands with monitoring programs.
PDF
