Simulated catch-and-release using experimental hyperbaric chamber trials reveal high levels of delayed mortality due to barotrauma in mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)

A key factor affecting survival of fish captured from depth and subsequently released is barotrauma – a suite of injuries caused by expanding swim bladder gas and formation of gas embolisms resulting from the decreasing ambient pressure experienced during capture. Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) are an economically-important fishery species in southern Australia often released from deep-water capture suffering from barotrauma. Hyperbaric...