Great article Steve. I did some research on the mucus loss and mortality in yellow perch college and found no effect based on temperature difference and turbidity, so I would agree it has little to do with handling of the fish, within reason. However, none of the studies referenced indicate a releationship between mortality and extreem temperature changes. Most fish will be significantly stressed (alot of time to the point of death) by extreem temperature changes in the surrounding environment (i.e. pulling a salmon from 48 degree water to 70 degree water on the surface). I am sure this stress is reduced depending on the time of year and the actual temp change. I wish I still had access to scientific journals so I could site some articles. I am excited to see some other facts.