Journal article 37 views 6 downloads
Recompression Improves Release Success in Pollack (Pollachius pollachius): A Step Towards Assessing Post Release Mortality in a Recreational Fishery
T. Stamp 
,
Rachel Mawer ,
R. Conlon,
A. E. Hall ,
P. Davies,
R. Nesbit,
D. Uren,
T. Morris,
S. Sullivan,
S. Thomas,
B. D. Stewart,
H. Rudd,
K. Hyder,
T. Osmond,
S. Reynell,
E. V. Sheehan
,
Rachel Mawer ,
R. Conlon,
A. E. Hall ,
P. Davies,
R. Nesbit,
D. Uren,
T. Morris,
S. Sullivan,
S. Thomas,
B. D. Stewart,
H. Rudd,
K. Hyder,
T. Osmond,
S. Reynell,
E. V. Sheehan
Fisheries Management and Ecology
Swansea University Author:
Rachel Mawer
-
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© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1111/fme.70047
Abstract
The recreational fishery for pollack (Pollachius pollachius) in the northeast Atlantic is impacted by the species' high sensitivity to barotrauma. When captured at depth and brought to the surface, gas expansion within the peritoneal cavity can cause a variety of injuries and hinder release. Vi...
| Published in: | Fisheries Management and Ecology |
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| ISSN: | 0969-997X 1365-2400 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2026
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71538 |
| Abstract: |
The recreational fishery for pollack (Pollachius pollachius) in the northeast Atlantic is impacted by the species' high sensitivity to barotrauma. When captured at depth and brought to the surface, gas expansion within the peritoneal cavity can cause a variety of injuries and hinder release. Via an experimental weighted cage, this study evaluated the efficacy of releasing Pollack at depth as a barotrauma mitigation strategy. We found that depth-release significantly increased the probability of released Pollack displaying an active escape response to 83%, compared to 56% for surface-released fish; however, increased capture depth and fish size negatively affected success. Camera observations of depth-released Pollack confirmed the recovery of vital reflexes (vestibulo-ocular reflex, equilibrium maintenance) within 1.5–4 min. Further acoustic telemetry demonstrated that individuals subsequently displayed active dispersion from the release site (0.1–23.8 km) and showed active vertical movements for up to 6 months post-release. These findings indicate that depth-release improves survival outcomes, though further research is required to optimise release methods in open-water environments. |
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| Keywords: |
acoustic telemetry; barotrauma; fisheries management |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government. Grant Number: Ecm 66427;
INTERREG FRANCE-CHANNEL_ENGLAND (Award no. 256) |