European grayling are farmed in small-scale operations and subject to recreational catch-and-release angling, with welfare implications for this sensitive salmonid species.
Grayling welfare in both aquaculture and angling contexts is influenced by the species sensitivity to environmental conditions. In aquaculture, water temperature management is critical as grayling require cold, well-oxygenated water and stress rapidly in suboptimal conditions. Handling during restocking operations must be minimal to prevent physiological compromise. In angling, grayling are frequently caught and released in winter conditions where air temperatures, water temperatures, and fish physiology combine to create specific welfare challenges. Research on grayling post-release survival suggests that careful handling, minimising air exposure in cold water, and returning fish quickly are welfare-critical practices for this species.