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Howell BE, Navarroli G, DePasquale SW, Cooke SJ, Hasler CT. Sex and season influence behaviour and physiology of lake trout following angling. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae041. [PMID: 38974501 PMCID: PMC11224997 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Catch-and-release angling exposes fish to challenges that may result in sub-lethal effects or mortality. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) undergo high rates of release because of size-based harvest regulations or voluntary angler behaviour. Here, we examine short-term impairment in lake trout angled during the summer (n = 74) and fall spawning period (n = 33) to inform best practices for angling. Immediately following capture or 0.5 h post-capture, fish underwent reflex and barotrauma assessments, and a small blood sample was collected. Fish were also fitted with an externally mounted biologger equipped with depth, temperature and tri-axial acceleration sensors, that was tethered to allow retrieval of the logger after 14 min. In the summer, reflex impairment and barotrauma at 0 and 0.5 h were significantly correlated. Loss of orientation and bloating were the most observed indicators. Larger fish and those captured at increased depth had higher barotrauma scores, while prolonged fight times decreased the barotrauma score regardless of sampling time. Plasma cortisol, lactate and glucose increased 0.5 h after capture, and extracellular and intracellular pH decreased, all signs that angling was inducing a metabolic response. However, no relationships were found between blood indices and mortality (18.9%). The time required to reach maximum depth after release was longer for fish with increased air exposure but shorter for those with longer fight times. During the fall, fish displayed no mortality or reflex impairment. Anal prolapse was the most observed indicator of barotrauma but only observed in females. Blood indices were most altered 0.5 h after capture, with increased cortisol values for fish that were female, particularly large or captured at deeper depth. Locomotor activity was highest for males and increased with depth. Together, our findings suggest that the effects of catch-and-release angling may be dependent on several factors, including sex, season and angling depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley E Howell
- Fish Biology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Giulio Navarroli
- Fish Biology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Simon W DePasquale
- Fish Biology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Caleb T Hasler
- Fish Biology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
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Naisbett-Jones LC, Branham C, Birath S, Paliotti S, McMains AR, Joel Fodrie F, Morley JW, Buckel JA, Lohmann KJ. A method for long-term retention of pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) on small migratory fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:1029-1039. [PMID: 36794453 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Achieving long-term retention of pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) has proven difficult for all fishes but is particularly challenging for small migrant species due to the relatively large size of tags. In this study, the authors tested the latest and smallest PSAT model on the market, the mark-report satellite tag (mrPAT), and developed a simple, cost-effective method of tag attachment on sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum 1792), a small marine fish. During laboratory trials, the method of tag attachment used in this study outperformed the existing methods with two c. 40 cm fish retaining their tags for 3 months (the duration of the laboratory study). During field deployments, data were successfully obtained for 17 of the 25 tagged fish [37-50 cm fork length (FL)]. Of these, 14 tags (82%) remained on the fish until the pre-programmed release date resulting in tag retention times of up to 172 days (mean: 140 days). The investigation represents the first extensive study into the feasibility of PSATs for monitoring fishes in this size range. The authors demonstrate that their method of attachment and this latest PSAT model are feasible for c. 5-month deployments on fishes that are relatively small (c. 45 cm FL). These results with A. probatocephalus represent a potentially significant advance in PSAT methodology for fishes of this size. Future investigations are needed to determine if this method is transferrable to other species in the same size range.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Creed Branham
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Shayla Birath
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
| | - Savannah Paliotti
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew R McMains
- Department of Biology, Coastal Studies Institute, East Carolina University, Wanchese, North Carolina, USA
| | - Frederick Joel Fodrie
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
| | - James W Morley
- Department of Biology, Coastal Studies Institute, East Carolina University, Wanchese, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Buckel
- Department of Applied Ecology, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kenneth J Lohmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Robstad CA, Lodberg-Holm HK, Mayer M, Rosell F. The impact of bio-logging on body weight change of the Eurasian beaver. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261453. [PMID: 34941892 PMCID: PMC8699976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-logging is a common method to collect ecological data on wild animals, but might also induce stress, reduce body condition, and alter behavior. Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) are a semi-aquatic and nocturnal species that are challenging to observe in the wild. Bio-loggers are hence useful tools to study their behaviour and movements, but this raises concerns of potential negative impacts of tagging. To investigate the potential negative impacts of glue-on tags, we compared body weight change for tagged and untagged Eurasian beavers. We hypothesized that tagged beavers would gain less body weight compared to untagged beavers, and that weight change might be affected by tagging length, tag weight, water temperature and the season of tagging. Daily percentage body weight change in relation to initial body weight during the first capture was compared during 57 tagging periods (18±7 days) and 32 controls periods (64±47 days). Body weight change varied between the two groups, with untagged beavers on average gaining daily weight whilst tagged beavers on average lost weight daily, indicating a negative effect of tagging. The average reduction in percentage body weight change per day for tagged beavers was small (0.1 ± 0.3%), and with large individual variation. Neither tag weight, number of tagging days, nor season were important in explaining body weight change of tagged animals. In other words, we found that tagging reduced daily body weight during the tagging period but were unable to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for this decline. Detrimental effects of tagging have important implications for animal welfare and can introduce bias in data that are collected. This calls for careful consideration in the use of tags. We conclude that studies investigating the effects of tagging should consider individual variation in the effects of tagging and, where possible, compare tagged animals with a control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Andre Robstad
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
| | - Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
| | - Martin Mayer
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Rønde, Denmark
| | - Frank Rosell
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
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Sloman KA, Bouyoucos IA, Brooks EJ, Sneddon LU. Ethical considerations in fish research. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:556-577. [PMID: 30838660 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fishes are used in a wide range of scientific studies, from conservation research with potential benefits to the species used to biomedical research with potential human benefits. Fish research can take place in both laboratories and field environments and methods used represent a continuum from non-invasive observations, handling, through to experimental manipulation. While some countries have legislation or guidance regarding the use of fish in research, many do not and there exists a diversity of scientific opinions on the sentience of fish and how we determine welfare. Nevertheless, there is a growing pressure on the scientific community to take more responsibility for the animals they work with through maximising the benefits of their research to humans or animals while minimising welfare or survival costs to their study animals. In this review, we focus primarily on the refinement of common methods used in fish research based on emerging knowledge with the aim of improving the welfare of fish used in scientific studies. We consider the use of anaesthetics and analgesics and how we mark individuals for identification purposes. We highlight the main ethical concerns facing researchers in both laboratory and field environments and identify areas that need urgent future research. We hope that this review will help inform those who wish to refine their ethical practices and stimulate thought among fish researchers for further avenues of refinement. Improved ethics and welfare of fishes will inevitably lead to increased scientific rigour and is in the best interests of both fishes and scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Sloman
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Ian A Bouyoucos
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Edward J Brooks
- Cape Eleuthera Island School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Abstract
Determining the small-scale movement patterns of marine vertebrates usually requires invasive active acoustic tagging or in-water monitoring, with the inherent behavioural impacts of those techniques. In addition, these techniques rarely allow direct continuous behavioural assessments or the recording of environmental interactions, especially for highly mobile species. Here, we trial a novel method of assessing small-scale movement patterns of marine vertebrates using an unmanned aerial vehicle that could complement longer-term tracking approaches. This approach is unlikely to have behavioural impacts and provides high accuracy and high frequency location data (10 Hz), while subsequently allowing quantitative trajectory analysis. Unmanned aerial vehicle tracking is also relatively low cost compared to single-use acoustic and GPS tags. We tracked 14 sharks for up to 10 min in a shallow lagoon of Heron Island, Australia. Trajectory analysis revealed that Epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) displayed sinusoidal movement patterns, while Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) had more linear trajectories that were similar to those of a Lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens). Individual shark trajectory patterns and movement speeds were highly variable. Results indicate that Epaulette sharks may be more mobile during diurnal low tides than previously thought. The approach presented here allows the movements and behaviours of marine vertebrates to be analysed at resolutions not previously possible without complex and expensive acoustic arrays. This method would be useful to assess the habitat use and behaviours of sharks and rays in shallow water environments, where they are most likely to interact with humans.
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Lear KO, Gleiss AC, Whitney NM. Metabolic rates and the energetic cost of external tag attachment in juvenile blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 93:391-395. [PMID: 30241112 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study reports on the metabolic rate of the blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus and the energetic costs of external tag attachment. Metabolic rates, swimming speed and tail-beat (BT ) frequency were measured in a static respirometer with untagged animals and animals equipped with a small data logger. Tagged sharks showed significantly higher routine oxygen consumption and lower swimming speeds than untagged animals, indicating that tagging significantly affected the swimming efficiency and energetic requirements in these small sharks, and that these effects must be accounted for when interpreting telemetry data from free-ranging individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa O Lear
- Behavioral Ecology and Physiology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
| | - Adrian C Gleiss
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
| | - Nicholas M Whitney
- Behavioral Ecology and Physiology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Newport, Kentucky
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