Fish Descender Guide: Increase Catch & Release Success
Understanding Barotrauma: The Silent Killer of Released Fish Deep-sea fish, adapted to immense pressure, suffer severely when brought rapidly to the surface. The sudden pressure drop causes their swim bladders (internal gas-filled organs aiding buoyancy) to expand drastically, leading to barotrauma. This internal injury manifests as bulging eyes, internal bleeding, and often, death. The faster the ascent, the greater the damage. This isn't just a problem for recreational anglers; commercial fisheries also face substantial losses due to barotrauma....