Common carp are among the most widely farmed fish globally, with welfare challenges related to transport, handling, and pond management that are increasingly recognised.
Carp welfare straddles commercial aquaculture and recreational angling in ways that create distinctive welfare challenges. In aquaculture, high stocking densities and transport stress impose significant welfare costs on fish whose cognitive sophistication is increasingly recognised. In recreational angling, the welfare of carp depends on handling technique, time out of water, hook placement, and the quality of return to water. The growing welfare science base for carp is enabling better standards in both contexts, though implementation lags knowledge in commercial production settings.