Depredation of Demersal Reef Fishes Released with Descender Devices Is Uncommon off North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Descender devices are increasingly recognized as a leading means of barotrauma mitigation for released reef fishes. Yet, some resource users oppose regulations requiring or encouraging descender device use, arguing that predators frequently eat fish during release (depredation), sometimes causing device loss. We synthesized data for over 1,200 descended releases (both videoed and nonvideoed) of 16 species of reef fish off North Carolina, USA. Of 114 videos, we observed possible predators on seven, none of which showed actual depredation. Of 1,176 nonvideoed releases, we lost zero descender devices, indicating that although cryptic depredation may have occurred, equipment loss was nonexistent. The lack of any evidence of depredation in ocean waters off North Carolina provides information to managers that they can use to reinforce education and outreach to encourage descender use.