Para avaliação do potencial anestésico do óleo de cravo na mitigação dos efeitos fisiológicos do estresse de exposição aérea e de transporte do lambari, A. altiparanae, foram realizados dois experimentos. No primeiro, fêmeas adultas (n = 80) foram submetidas a quatro tratamentos: controle, anestesia (óleo de cravo 50 mg.L-1), estresse (exposição aérea durante 5 minutos) e anestesia prévia ao estresse. Registraram-se os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol, glicose e lactato, o hematócrito, índice hepatossomático (IHS), as concentrações de glicogênio hepático e muscular branco, a peroxidação lipídica e a atividade das enzimas lactato desidrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) e glutationa redutase (GR). Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA, comparando-se as médias pelo Teste de Tukey (p<0,05). No segundo experimento, avaliaram-se a concentração adequada e os efeitos do anestésico, combinado ou não ao NaCl (sal), sobre as respostas ao estresse de transporte simulado em juvenis (n = 1.269). Foi estabelecido um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3x3 (0, 3 e 6 g.L-1 de NaCl; 0, 5 e 7,5 mg.L-1 do anestésico). Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA com estudo de regressão (p<0,05). No primeiro experimento, observou-se elevação da glicose (53,9%) após a anestesia e/ou o estresse. O estresse elevou os níveis de cortisol (146,6%), de lactato (294,6%) e a peroxidação lipídica no músculo branco (45%) e reduziu o glicogênio muscular (40,1%). O hematócrito aumentou 7,9% após o estresse ou a anestesia. O glicogênio hepático e o IHS não diferiram entre os tratamentos. A anestesia ou o estresse não alteraram a atividade da LDH, mas reduziram a atividade da CAT (46,1%) e da GR (30,3%). No segundo experimento observou-se redução linear da glicose em função das diferentes concentrações de anestésico, na presença de sal (3 g.L-1), e redução quadrática desta variável em função das concentrações crescentes de sal, na presença de anestésico (7,5 mg.L-1). O sal ou anestésico reduziram linearmente o cortisol, entretanto, não houve alteração do hematócrito e do IHS. A adição crescente de sal aumentou linearmente o glicogênio hepático, elevou de forma quadrática o glicogênio muscular e reduziu linearmente o lactato. A anestesia provocou aumento linear do glicogênio muscular e não alterou a peroxidação lipídica, variável que aumentou de forma quadrática em função do acréscimo de sal. A LDH reduziu linearmente, em função das concentrações crescentes de sal, e houve efeito quadrático da interação sal e anestésico nesta resposta. A adição do anestésico provocou redução linear na atividade da CAT e a atividade da GR foi elevada pela interação entre sal e anestésico. Conclui-se que a exposição aérea e o transporte caracterizam-se como agentes estressores em lambaris, reduzindo o bem-estar e a qualidade do pescado. O óleo de cravo na concentração 50 mg.L-1 mitiga as respostas fisiológicas ao estresse e não provoca a peroxidação lipídica, porém não evita esta resposta causada pela exposição aérea. O óleo de cravo e o sal nas concentrações 5 e 7,5 mg.L-1 e 3 a 6 g.L-1, respectivamente, isolados ou associados, são seguros e eficazes para mitigar os efeitos do estresse de transporte no lambari. / The effects of clove oil anesthetic on mitigating the physiological stress responses to air exposure and simulated transporting were evaluated in lambari (A. altiparanae). In the first experiment, adult females (n = 80) were subjected to four treatments: control, anesthesia (clove oil 50 mg L-1), stress (5 min air exposure) and pre-anesthesia associated to stress. Cortisol, glucose and lactate levels, hematocrit, hepatosomatic index (HSI), liver and muscle glycogen content, lipid peroxidation level and the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), were recorded. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, comparing the means by Tukey´s test (P<0.05). In the second experiment the potential of clove oil and sodium chloride (salt) added to water in mitigating the stress responses to simulated transporting was evaluated in 1.269 female juveniles. The experiment was conducted in a factorial design 3x3 (0, 3, 6 g.L-1 salt; 0, 5, 7.5 mg.L-1 clove oil) and data were submitted to ANOVA (p<0.05). In the first experiment, we observed glucose increase (53.9%) after anesthesia and/or stress. The stress increased cortisol levels (146.6%), lactate (294.6%) and lipid peroxidation in white muscle (45%) and decreased glycogen (40.1%). The hematocrit increased 7.9% after stress or anesthesia and the liver glycogen and HSI did not changed between treatments. Anesthesia or stress did not affect the LDH activity, but reduced the activity of CAT (46.1%) and GR (30.3%). In the second experiment a reduction of blood glucose was observed when the anesthetic was associated to salt (linear) or salt was associated to anesthetic (quadratic). The salt or anesthetic decreased the cortisol (linear) but did not affected hematocrit or hepatosomatic index. The salt increased glycogen in liver (linear) and white muscle (quadratic), but reduced the lactate (linear). Anesthesia increased the muscle glycogen (linear) and did not affect the lipid peroxidation that was increased (quadratic) by salt. The LDH activity was reduced (linear) by increasing concentrations of salt or its association with the anesthetic (quadratic). Clove oil decreased CAT activity (linear) and when associated to salt increased the GR activity. We concluded that air exposure and transporting are stressful situations that reduces welfare and meat quality and that clove oil (50 mg.L-1) mitigates the physiological responses to stress and does not cause lipid peroxidation but does not prevent this response resulting from air exposure. The clove oil and the salt (5 and 7.5 mg.L-1 and 3 to 6 gL-1, respectively), either in its isolated or combined form, are safe and effective in mitigating the stress effects of transporting in lambari.

Para avaliação do potencial anestésico do óleo de cravo na mitigação dos efeitos fisiológicos do estresse de exposição aérea e de transporte do lambari, A. altiparanae, foram realizados dois experimentos. No primeiro, fêmeas adultas (n = 80) foram submetidas a quatro tratamentos: controle, anestesia (óleo de cravo 50 mg.L-1), estresse (exposição aérea durante 5 minutos) e anestesia prévia ao estresse. Registraram-se os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol, glicose e lactato, o hematócrito, índice hepatossomático (IHS), as concentrações de glicogênio hepático e muscular branco, a peroxidação lipídica e a atividade das enzimas lactato desidrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) e glutationa redutase (GR). Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA, comparando-se as médias pelo Teste de Tukey (p<0,05). No segundo experimento, avaliaram-se a concentração adequada e os efeitos do anestésico, combinado ou não ao NaCl (sal), sobre as respostas ao estresse de transporte simulado em juvenis (n = 1.269). Foi estabelecido um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3x3 (0, 3 e 6 g.L-1 de NaCl; 0, 5 e 7,5 mg.L-1 do anestésico). Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA com estudo de regressão (p<0,05). No primeiro experimento, observou-se elevação da glicose (53,9%) após a anestesia e/ou o estresse. O estresse elevou os níveis de cortisol (146,6%), de lactato (294,6%) e a peroxidação lipídica no músculo branco (45%) e reduziu o glicogênio muscular (40,1%). O hematócrito aumentou 7,9% após o estresse ou a anestesia. O glicogênio hepático e o IHS não diferiram entre os tratamentos. A anestesia ou o estresse não alteraram a atividade da LDH, mas reduziram a atividade da CAT (46,1%) e da GR (30,3%). No segundo experimento observou-se redução linear da glicose em função das diferentes concentrações de anestésico, na presença de sal (3 g.L-1), e redução quadrática desta variável em função das concentrações crescentes de sal, na presença de anestésico (7,5 mg.L-1). O sal ou anestésico reduziram linearmente o cortisol, entretanto, não houve alteração do hematócrito e do IHS. A adição crescente de sal aumentou linearmente o glicogênio hepático, elevou de forma quadrática o glicogênio muscular e reduziu linearmente o lactato. A anestesia provocou aumento linear do glicogênio muscular e não alterou a peroxidação lipídica, variável que aumentou de forma quadrática em função do acréscimo de sal. A LDH reduziu linearmente, em função das concentrações crescentes de sal, e houve efeito quadrático da interação sal e anestésico nesta resposta. A adição do anestésico provocou redução linear na atividade da CAT e a atividade da GR foi elevada pela interação entre sal e anestésico. Conclui-se que a exposição aérea e o transporte caracterizam-se como agentes estressores em lambaris, reduzindo o bem-estar e a qualidade do pescado. O óleo de cravo na concentração 50 mg.L-1 mitiga as respostas fisiológicas ao estresse e não provoca a peroxidação lipídica, porém não evita esta resposta causada pela exposição aérea. O óleo de cravo e o sal nas concentrações 5 e 7,5 mg.L-1 e 3 a 6 g.L-1, respectivamente, isolados ou associados, são seguros e eficazes para mitigar os efeitos do estresse de transporte no lambari. / The effects of clove oil anesthetic on mitigating the physiological stress responses to air exposure and simulated transporting were evaluated in lambari (A. altiparanae). In the first experiment, adult females (n = 80) were subjected to four treatments: control, anesthesia (clove oil 50 mg L-1), stress (5 min air exposure) and pre-anesthesia associated to stress. Cortisol, glucose and lactate levels, hematocrit, hepatosomatic index (HSI), liver and muscle glycogen content, lipid peroxidation level and the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), were recorded. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, comparing the means by Tukey´s test (P<0.05). In the second experiment the potential of clove oil and sodium chloride (salt) added to water in mitigating the stress responses to simulated transporting was evaluated in 1.269 female juveniles. The experiment was conducted in a factorial design 3x3 (0, 3, 6 g.L-1 salt; 0, 5, 7.5 mg.L-1 clove oil) and data were submitted to ANOVA (p<0.05). In the first experiment, we observed glucose increase (53.9%) after anesthesia and/or stress. The stress increased cortisol levels (146.6%), lactate (294.6%) and lipid peroxidation in white muscle (45%) and decreased glycogen (40.1%). The hematocrit increased 7.9% after stress or anesthesia and the liver glycogen and HSI did not changed between treatments. Anesthesia or stress did not affect the LDH activity, but reduced the activity of CAT (46.1%) and GR (30.3%). In the second experiment a reduction of blood glucose was observed when the anesthetic was associated to salt (linear) or salt was associated to anesthetic (quadratic). The salt or anesthetic decreased the cortisol (linear) but did not affected hematocrit or hepatosomatic index. The salt increased glycogen in liver (linear) and white muscle (quadratic), but reduced the lactate (linear). Anesthesia increased the muscle glycogen (linear) and did not affect the lipid peroxidation that was increased (quadratic) by salt. The LDH activity was reduced (linear) by increasing concentrations of salt or its association with the anesthetic (quadratic). Clove oil decreased CAT activity (linear) and when associated to salt increased the GR activity. We concluded that air exposure and transporting are stressful situations that reduces welfare and meat quality and that clove oil (50 mg.L-1) mitigates the physiological responses to stress and does not cause lipid peroxidation but does not prevent this response resulting from air exposure. The clove oil and the salt (5 and 7.5 mg.L-1 and 3 to 6 gL-1, respectively), either in its isolated or combined form, are safe and effective in mitigating the stress effects of transporting in lambari.

Atlantic tarpon are sought after because of their fighting ability on various tackle and support a popular, lucrative and predominantly catch-and-release recreational fishery in Florida. They are not commercially harvested or consumed by the general public, therefore assessing effects of catch-and-release angling on tarpon survival is critical to a sustainable fishery. Tarpon caught on artificial breakaway jig and traditional live bait fishing charters in Boca Grande Pass (n=42) and trips from the recreational fishery of Tampa Bay (n=40) were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters and tracked up to 6 hours immediately following release to estimate post-release mortality. Of the 82 tagged tarpon, 11 suffered mortality as inferred from movement patterns (or lack thereof) or visual confirmation (i.e. shark attacks) which yields a combined total estimated catch-and-release mortality rate of 13% (95% confidence interval: 6-21%). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two estuarine systems. Associations between tarpon mortality and angling duration, handling time, fish length, bait type (artificial versus natural), and hook type (circle versus "J") were not significant. Hook location (foul-hooking) and swimming condition at release were significant factors on tarpon mortality (P<0.05). Shark predation was the primary cause of post-release mortality (64%). Excluding predation, the overall mortality rate was estimated at 5% and attributed to poor handling and irreparable physiological damage from angling. Angling events will cause anaerobic activity resulting in physiological disruptions that may have consequences compromising the health and survival of tarpon. Both adult (mature, >70 pounds, 31.8 kg) and sub-adult (sexually immature, <20 pounds, 9 kg) tarpon support Florida's recreational fishery, so maximizing post-release survival and minimizing sub-lethal stress effects of both size classes are critical to their sustainability. In this study, stress responses after exhaustive exercise (angling) were measured using an array of blood chemistry parameters, including hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma glucose, lactate, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and cortisol. Angled, adults (n=45) were compared to large tarpon in a resting state (controls, n=6). Angled, sub-adults (n=28) were compared to those in a resting state (n=9). Adult tarpon were then compared to sub-adults to determine any size-related, intra-species variation in stress responses after angling. Finally, because smaller tarpon are logistically easier to handle and may be subjected to prolonged air exposure by anglers for hook removal or photographs, we evaluated the effect of 60 seconds of air exposure with horizontal (n=9) or vertical (n=9) handling out of the water relative to non-air exposed (n=10) fish in angled sub-adult tarpon. Associations and interactions among the blood chemistry responses of tarpon from each treatment to angling duration, handling time, body size and environmental factors related to each capture event were evaluated using a non-parametric, multivariate redundancy analysis. The duration of the angling event had a positive effect on responses of some parameters, and responses were more extreme in adult tarpon than sub-adults. The exception was cortisol which was significantly higher in sub-adults. Environmental parameters were less influential than angling and handling on observed physiological responses. Sub-adults showed no difference in physiological responses among handling treatments with and without air exposure and exhibited no short term mortality. Using appropriate tackle and gear to reduce fight times and handling should help minimize metabolic and acid-base imbalances. Tagging studies coupled with physiology can be a valuable tool for estimating post-release mortality and secondary stress responses of game fish, especially for large species that might be difficult to maintain in floating pens or tanks. Yet adverse effects of catch-and-release angling could also have population level consequences. Future studies should integrate biology and fish physiology to evaluate post-release recovery windows and establish lethal thresholds to provide potential predictive capability of mortality. In general, it appears that sub-adult and adult Atlantic tarpon along the Gulf coast of Florida can recover from physiological disturbances incurred during routine catch-and-release angling events in the recreational fishery when they are released in the absence of large predators. The anglers themselves can play a key role in tarpon conservation.