The welfare of fish in recreational angling — including both catch-and-release and retaining fish for consumption — requires careful consideration in light of evidence for fish pain experience.
The welfare question in angling hinges on whether fish experience pain in a morally relevant sense. The scientific consensus has shifted significantly toward accepting that fish are sentient and that hook injuries cause genuine suffering. Catch-and-release fishing reduces killing but does not eliminate welfare harm — fish that survive release may experience prolonged physiological stress and injury. Welfare-conscious angling practices minimise these harms: barbless hooks, wet hands, minimal air exposure, quick releases and avoiding fishing during warm temperatures when fish are most vulnerable. Anglers who take welfare seriously can continue their sport with significantly reduced harm, while those who retain fish for consumption face fewer welfare concerns during the actual catch than during any prolonged handling.