Fishes caught from deep-water often experience catastrophic decompression (swimbladder over-inflation) upon being brought to the surface. I am using an engineered hydrostatic pressure vessel to simulate rapid decompression injury of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, brought up from different water depths. Specifically I will be observing damage to tissues, organs, and swimbladders of these fish. Ultimately, I would like to better understand the physiology involved with the decompression and recompression stress on red snapper. The fate of the red snapper fishery has been of great concern in Florida and further research involving pressure physiology may lead to more efficient species management and provide valuable life history information.

Pictures >>

Close Window