The Education, Fisheries and Conservation Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers was set up to handle grants to include those which have supported purchase and distribution of two types of descender devices as well as educational materials such as species identification handouts. You may have seen our displays and materials at the Puyallup Sportsman Show and Seattle Boat Show or been the recipient of a free descender device at one of the shows or at a boat launch.

Now, as to your question. What you describe protruding is the fish's stomach which has been pushed out by the expanded air bladder. When the fish is quickly returned to depth there is a significant increase in survival. For example, PFMC has accepted that Yelloweye brought up from 30-50 fathoms and released at the surface have 100% mortality but those same fish quickly and properly released at depth have a mortality rate of 27%. That is a 73% reduction in mortality! Yes, that is a best case scenario but certainly establishes the benefit of using a descender device.

Here is a link: http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/D3b_SUP_GMT_RPT2_MAR2014BB.pdf

Thanks for the opportunity to again tout the conservation benefit of using a descender device when releasing rockfish.