The physiological and physical response to capture stress in sharks

Abstract

Exhaustive exercise leads to severe metabolic, acid-base, ionic and hematological changes in sharks. It has been shown that these changes are species-specific and are affected by the magnitude of the cumulative effects of physiological and physical trauma associated with capture. Blood lactate, glucose and pH levels are reliable indicators of the shark stress response and have been extensively studied. Several shark species have been reported to be able to survive physiological stress unless severe physical trauma occurs. As comprehensive information about post release mortality is missing, future investigations should focus on the relationship between physiological disruption and survival rates of tagged and released sharks.