Common carp are among the most widely farmed and angled fish globally, yet their welfare needs receive little attention despite evidence of their sentience.
Carp welfare sits at an intersection of aquaculture and recreational fishing — both sectors handle billions of individual fish with minimal welfare consideration. Catch-and-release fishing imposes stress that can be fatal in warm water or when fish are handled roughly and air-exposed. In aquaculture, traditional extensive pond systems can provide reasonable welfare, but intensive recirculating systems impose chronic stress without enrichment. Best-practice guidelines for carp angling — wet hands, minimal air exposure, quick hook removal, and careful release — significantly improve survival without diminishing the recreational experience.