Peer Review

Reviewed by John Lewis

Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee

Cardiac Response to Variable Forced Exercise at Different Temperatures: An Angling Simulation for Smallmouth Bass

Schreer, J.F.; Cooke, S.J.; and McKinley, R.S.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 130: 783-795.

Overview: This study tests the cardiac output of smallmouth bass under variable temperatures and durations of stress designed to simulate angling. This work showed that angling does have an adverse effect on stress on the heart of the smallmouth bass.

Critique: The paper is consistent with the title and flows in an objective format. The fifteen sources cited in the introduction support the title and the surrounding introductory statements. The methods used by the researchers were heavily supported by literature and could be replicated if the proper resources were available. It thoroughly explains the steps one would go through installing the cardiac monitor and the angling simulation. The results section follows the methods section fairly closely. The statistics were above my education, but the charts and graphs were simple and easy to comprehend. The discussion section was lengthy, but complete. The management implications were especially interesting to my field of study.

Completeness: The paper was well written and although it was long, the length was necessary to make the argument complete.

Problems: I could list no problems with the paper except for the length.

Benefits: This study shows that angling has an effect on fish health at any temperature. The length of time the fish is angled is linked to the amount of cardiac stress placed on the fish. In addition, catch-and-release methods may of may not be a good practice and are dependent on the length of the angling period.

Additional Research: The study indicated more research could be done on other species of fish and mortality vs. angling time results from angling events, i.e. fishing tournaments, could provide more information.