Physiological responses to capture, handling and tagging in the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius)

• DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae077
• Publication Date: 2024-11-28T17:00:41Z
• Authors: Georgina Cole; Edward Lavender; Adam Naylor; Simon Girling; Dmitry Aleynik; Steffen Oppel; Jane Dodd; James Thorburn
• Keywords: Skate

Abstract Catch-and-release angling is a popular recreational pastime and an essential component of many fish research programmes. Marked physiological disturbances have been documented in elasmobranchs response to handling, but skates rays remain understudied. Here, we describe for the first time responses critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) angling, handling tagging Scotland. Sixty-one were captured by as part programme. We assessed individual health, measured blood parameters at two points (post-capture prior release) recorded heart respiratory rates during surgical insertion acoustic tags. Injuries or infections identified 10% individuals attributed cases. Skate generally experienced mild metabolic acidosis characterized decreases pH bicarbonate increases lactate glucose. Respiratory limited PCO2 was also observed. The degree greater with warmer sea temperatures longer fight times, worsened that handled on deck. Heart negatively associated body size, positively temperature linked line. Taken together, our results suggest elevated times increase stress rod reel-caught skate. Efforts reduce minimize heat exposure (including shading, irrigation reduced time) should be beneficial