Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Correa, Sandra B.
Committee Member
Allen, Peter J.
Committee Member
Neal, J. Wesley
Date of Degree
5-15-2022
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Forest Resources
Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Abstract
Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus support a catch-and-release fisheries in the United States and other territories such as Puerto Rico. Survival of angled fish is imperative to catch-and-release fishing yet numerous factors have yet to be looked at over a timescale to determine if laboratory and wild Puerto Rico tarpon experience increased stress and risk of mortality. To evaluate stress in simulated catch-and-release angling, laboratory trials were conducted over a 24-hour time scale with 2 varying intensities of simulated angling and various physiological parameters were explored. Blood samples concluded that simulating angling only had an interaction effect in time and fishing intensity in the factor of osmolality. In field studies, tarpon studied physiologically gave inconclusive results due to lack of a time scale. Field studies tracking mortality were completed by acoustic telemetry of angled fish in the San Juan Lagoon network. Studies resulted in a mortality that ranges from 4.5-20.5%.
Recommended Citation
Horowitz, Laura B., "Stress response and recovery of Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops Atlanticus) to catch-and-release angling" (2022). Theses and Dissertations. 5498.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/5498