Post-capture survival of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) captured by bottom otter trawl: can live release programs contribute to the recovery of species at risk?

Published source details Grant S.M. & Hiscock W. (2014) Post-capture survival of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) captured by bottom otter trawl: can live release programs contribute to the recovery of species at risk?. Fisheries Research, 151, 169-176.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release protected or species of concern alive after capture Action Link

Release protected or species of concern alive after capture

A replicated study in 2004 in bottom fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean off Canada (Grant & Hiscock 2014) found that Atlantic wolffish Anarhichas lupus (protected species) caught in the yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea trawl fishery typically survived for five days after capture and release. Overall post-capture survival of 41 wolffish (either kept in holding tanks for 48 h or held in tanks for 10 h before being placed in sea cages on the seabed for 2 d) ranged from 0–100%. However, survival varied with duration of air exposure after capture, with most individuals exposed to air for periods <2 h surviving (<30 min: 100%, 30 min–1 h: 88%, 1 h–1.5 h: 100%, 1.5–2 h: 90%), while none of the 4 fish exposed for >2 h survived. In autumn 2004, post-capture survival of wolffish captured in yellowtail flounder trawl net deployments was assessed. A total of 23 wolffish were held in temporary holding tanks and survival assesses up to 48 h, and 18 wolffish were held in tanks for 10 h before being moved to holding cages deployed on the seafloor where survival was monitored for up to 2 d.

(Summarised by: Leo Clarke)