Recreational angling is one of the most widespread human interactions with wild fish; catch-and-release practices and handling methods significantly affect fish survival and welfare outcomes.
Angling welfare science has advanced significantly, enabling genuinely welfare-conscious practices. Warm water impairs recovery from angling-related lactic acid accumulation, making temperature a critical factor in whether catch-and-release is genuinely low-harm. Best practice includes barbless hooks, minimal air exposure, wet hands during handling, and temperature-based fishing restrictions. The claim that catch-and-release is inherently harmless is no longer scientifically defensible without adherence to welfare-protective practices.