By asking over 1,100 anglers to test Seaqualizer descending devices, the project ‘saved’ an estimated 3,000-9,000 red snapper that, based on previous research, would otherwise have died due to their barotrauma injuries.īased on their early success in the Gulf, the FishSmart project has now expanded to look at the impacts of using descending devices by offshore anglers in the South Atlantic. In 2015, the FishAmerica Foundation began working with anglers in the Gulf of Mexico to improve the survival of fish caught in deep waters (such as red snapper) and learn more about the potential for widespread use of descending devices. The Coelanths most prominent features are its gargantuan size and elongated jaw. It tends to only appear deep in the Abyss, making it very rare to encounter above these depths. Using a hand reel or heavy-duty rod, angler lowers fish back into the depths from which it was caught.Īngler triggers the release mechanism, freeing the descending device from the fish so it can re-acclimate to its environment. The Coelanth is a large fish-like beast in Barotrauma. The use of all descending devices follows the same basic procedure:Īngler reels in a fish from >30 feet of water and may or may not observe signs of barotrauma in the fish.Īfter deciding to release fish, angler works quickly to dehook the animal.Īngler attaches descending device to fish (either through the hole made by hook, by attaching to lip, or by placing fish in a basket).
But all serve the same purpose: to return fish to a safe depth where they can recover from any ill effects of barotrauma. There’s increasing consensus that descending devices are the best way to address this issue, giving released reef fish the greatest odds of survival.ĭescending devices can range from the low-tech and DIY ( a simple hook or basket set-up with a weight attached) to more expensive, commercially developed tools. Barotrauma, which can range from invisible injuries to bloated organs, can kill fish both directly and indirectly, as when they’re unable to escape predators such as sharks or barracudas. You can see the SeaQualizer in action on our technology page.Recently on the blog we looked at a few misconceptions surrounding barotrauma, which occurs when fish reeled in from deep waters experience injuries due to the rapid change in pressure. This also eliminates all of the other physical effects of barotrauma that were seen at the surface. The device will release the barotrauma stricken fish at a predetermined depth set on your SeaQualizer.Įach Saltwater model has three depth settings to choose from:īy bringing the fish back down to depth, naturally occurring pressure will re-compress the enlarged swim bladder causing the fish to become neutrally buoyant allowing it to swim on their own. Next, you’ll attach your fish and lower it back down into the water. To use the SeaQualizer pressure activated release tool first, attach the device to a fishing rod or retrieval line. Stomachs protruding out of the fish’s mouth.Physical effects of barotrauma can include: This causes the air bladder to expand beyond its normal size. Doing this prevents the fish from releasing air from its air bladder quick enough as pressure on it is decreased as it reaches the surface.
Barotrauma is the result of bringing a fish up from depth to quickly while fishing. The SeaQualizer descending device is an innovative release tool designed to help fish recover from the effects of barotrauma.