None of the control and only three trapped P. pelagicus died (all males and within 24 h of discarding), providing a non-significant mortality of 1.1% (Fisher’s exact test, p > 0.05). Two fatalities were from hoop nets set for 6 and 24 h, and one was from a round pot set for 24 h. None of the three mortalities lost appendages, but one had an injured pleonal flap (with loss of anal tissue and an unsealed wound) and one sustained internal trauma (i.e. caused by concussion during measurement), while the other was uninjured. Removal times for these individuals were 2, 45 and 95 s. None of the monitored ovigerous P. pelagicus had changes in their ovarian condition, and all individuals vigorously swam away when released.Three non-ovigerous females (one injured) moulted during monitoring.