Post-release survival and prolonged sublethal effects of capture and barotrauma on deep-dwelling rockfishes (genus <i>Sebastes</i>): implications for fish management and conservation

Abstract Barotrauma—injury induced by changes in pressure—is a widespread challenge for successfully releasing fishes following capture. We used acoustic telemetry to examine the long-term post-release survival and behaviour of four rockfish species (genus Sebastes) suffering from barotrauma capture using recreational fishing techniques. placed particular emphasis on examining Cowcod (Sebastes levis) Bocaccio paucispinis), two historically overfished along United States West Coast that serve as good model representing different ecological lifestyles. show fish was specific 40% observed mortality occurred more than 48 h post release—a typical time period many short-term survivorship studies. correlated with length, sea surface temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration at mean depth Generalized additive mixed models showed surviving individuals were negatively affected least 30 d post-release. Our findings demonstrate need extended observations accurately quantify how such data can be implemented into fisheries management through engagement between managers, scientists, community.