Barotrauma in Lake Erie Yellow Perch: Take Pride in your Perch

Session: Poster session

Jesse Lepak, NY Sea Grant, [email protected]

Abstract

Yellow Perch are one of the primary fish species targeted by commercial and recreational anglers in the New York portion of Lake Erie.  Unfortunately, based on catch data, the majority of Yellow Perch caught in this area are from depths where they suffer the effects of barotrauma when brought to the surface.  These fish sustain tissue damage from the change in pressure and subsequent expansion of their gas bladders. When released at the surface, these fish often float, and either experience mortality directly or from predation by birds or other predators. Given that the majority of Lake Erie Yellow Perch captured in New York are from depths where they suffer from the effects of barotrauma, the seemingly sustainable and ethical practice of catch-and-release angling actually results in mortality and waste of improperly released fish.  This situation provides an educational opportunity to encourage more sustainable behavior and reduce the practice of wasting resources that could provide much needed protein to consumers.  Thus, harvest of fish suffering from barotrauma, or the proper release (with deep release recompression devices) of Yellow Perch would reduce unnecessary mortality and increase sustainable practices and ethical behavior.

1. Keyword
public education

2. Keyword
regulations

3. Keyword
yellow perch

4. Additional Keyword
barotrauma

5. Additional Keyword
enforcement

6. Additional Keyword
volunteer institutions