Gas Embolism Assessment in Sea Turtles: Predictors of Mortality for the Deadliest Pathology related to Trawling

Sea turtles that are entrapped in static and towed nets may develop gas embolism which can lead to severe organ injury and death. Physical and physiologic factors associated with gas-embolism and predictors of mortality were analysed from 482 bycaught loggerheads. We found 204 turtles affected by gas-embolism and significant positive correlations between the presence of gas-embolism and duration, depth of trawl and turtle size and temperature and between mortality and neurological deficits, significant acidosis and involvement of > 12 cardiovascular sites and the left atrium and sinus venosus-right atrium. 164 turtles were released to the sea. Results of this study may be useful in clinical evaluation, prognostication, and treatment for turtles affected by gas-embolism, but bycatch reduction must become a priority for major international organizations.