During an electrofishing operation, what should be done with the voltage if fish show signs of stress?

In an electrofishing operation, monitoring the well-being of the fish is crucial for both ethical and scientific reasons. When fish exhibit signs of stress, reducing the voltage is the most appropriate response. Lowering the voltage helps to minimize their stress and reduce the risk of injury or mortality.

High voltage can lead to overstimulation of the fish, causing them to become disoriented or injured. This can compromise the effectiveness of the operation, as the goal is to capture fish in a humane manner while collecting data. By adjusting the voltage downward, the conditions become less harmful, allowing for safer handling and ultimately ensuring that the data collected is more reliable and ethically sound.

Maintaining a constant voltage might seem like a steady approach, but if fish are already stressed, this can further exacerbate the situation. Increasing the voltage, while it may appear to enhance effectiveness in capturing fish, can actually lead to undue harm, and immediately turning off the electrofisher could also create adverse effects if done abruptly or without addressing the underlying causes of stress. Thus, reducing the voltage serves as a compassionate and scientifically sound approach in this circumstance.