The Portable Electroanesthesia System (PES™) is an innovative technology that Smith-Root developed for lab, hatchery and remote field uses (e.g. fish management, research and fish culture applications).  With fully rechargeable battery power, all electronics are contained in a hard-plastic, floating Pelican case that weighs about 12 kg.  A modified beverage cooler (various sizes available) contains the electrode plates and serves as the fish treatment tank.  The PES™ allows “immediate-release,” chemical-free fish sedation without any of the disposal bath issues common with chemical anesthetics.

The PES™ introduces a mild field of electricity that (following a 2 or 3-second exposure) can sedate fish for 4-6 minutes, after which they can be easily and safely handled to measure, spawn or tag.  In an evaluation at a hatchery in Arkansas, the PES™ was used to sedate adult walleye for gamete collections.  There were no losses of eggs or milt during exposure to the field, no chemical bath to dispose of, and no 21-day “withdrawal” period to contend with.  Fish were released back into their river of origin the same day they were collected.  Additional independent research has been conducted by the Illinois Aquaculture Center at SIU (a peer-reviewed publication is in progress).

Learn More About The PES™