The Need for Reporting Rationale and Detailed Methods in Studies that Surgically Implant Fish with Electronic Tracking Devices

Each year, thousands of fishes are tagged with electronic devices to study their biology and inform fisheries management. Such research assumes that the process of capturing, tagging, and then holding fish to allow them to recover before release (i.e., the tagging process) does not alter the physiology, behavior, and survival of these fish. However, the fish can experience physiological challenges during the tagging process that may affect their behavior and survival. We have observed that the rationale used to establish protocols for holding durations and conditions of fish before and following surgery has received little attention. Here, we provide a perspective that: (1) provides an overview of the tagging process and its effects on the physiology, behavior, and survival of fish; (2) highlights the diverse holding conditions and durations used by researchers (that are often inadequately described and seem arbitrary); and (3) identifies key research needs. We conclude that decisions of whether, how, and for how long to hold tagged fish before release depend on diverse circumstances that need to be evaluated by researchers. We recommend that researchers explicitly report the details of how, when, where, and why tagged fish are held to facilitate protocols that benefit fish welfare, science, and management.

Automated summary

Every year, many fishes are tagged for research purposes, but the effects of the tagging process on their physiology, behavior, and survival are often overlooked. This article provides an overview of the tagging process and its impact and highlights the lack of standardized holding conditions and durations for tagged fish. The authors emphasize the need for further research and recommend explicit reporting of holding details to benefit fish welfare, science, and management.