Barotrauma research

[WB Staff]

Deep-water rockfish reeled quickly to the surface often emerge from the water with eyes and organs bulging like alien beings—due to the sudden change in pressure—a condition known as #barotrauma. Now, new research shows that if fishermen return fish to their natural depths quickly, their bodies will return to normal and they can survive any ill effects.
“That is good news for the fish, and good news for the fishermen who go to the trouble of trying to release them properly,” said Nick Wegner, a research scientist at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center and lead author of the new research. Read more: https://go.usa.gov/xeqQa