Bass Tournament Literature Review Mortality livewell procedures – Rachel review – Holly Displacement Brian K, Brian E, Renee Reproductive Success Kirsten, Chris, Aaron
Livewell Operating Procedures to Reduce Mortality of Black Bass during Summer Tournaments Eugene R. Gilliland 2002 American Fisheries Society Symposium Rachel McNinch
Location of Study Oklahoma Tournaments Summer Spring
Major Questions What is the mortality rate of tournament fish vs. control fish? 1995 Spring and Summer Mortality Study What livewell treatment results in the lowest mortality? 1996 Summer Livewell Treatment Comparisons Does adding pure oxygen to livewell water reduce mortality? 1998 Livewell Oxygenation Trials
Major Findings 1995 Study Total Summer mortality > Total Spring mortality Control fish had high delayed mortality 25% boats not using recirculation systems to aerate livewells DO in livewells with recirculation systems > livewells with out
Major Findings 1996 Study Teams with no fish care instructions Worst livewell environments 28.8 degrees C, 4.7 DO, 32.3% Total Mort. Teams with flow through aeration 27.4 degrees C, 6.1 DO, 24.7 % Total Mort. Teams with ice, salt, and recirculation Lowest Total Mortality 25.7 degrees C, 5.9 DO, 17.2% Total Mort.
Major Findings 1998 Study Continuous freshwater flow-through and recirculation/ aeration 32 degrees C, 5.4 DO, 14.9% Total Mort. Oxygenation 30.3 degrees C, 17.9 DO, 6.7% Total Mort.
FW 479: Tournament Lit Review March 29, 2004 Recommendations Education of anglers Fishing publications, news releases, internet websites, TV fishing programs At minimum run freshwater flow-through aerator pumps Spring vs. Summer Follow WIK program weigh-in procedures