Fish Angling Welfare and Catch-and-Release

Angling affects the welfare of billions of fish annually, with catch-and-release practices raising questions about pain, stress and injury in fish subjected to hooking.

Key Facts

Angling is one of the most popular recreational activities in the UK, with approximately 4 million participants
Fish show physiological and behavioural stress responses to hooking and handling
Lactic acid accumulation and cortisol spikes from the fight can impair fish function for hours after release
Catch-and-release survival rates vary by species, temperature, handling method and hook type
Barbless hooks and wet hands reduce injury and physiological stress in released fish
The question of whether fish experience pain has been the subject of significant scientific debate now largely resolved toward yes

Welfare Considerations

Fish welfare in angling is a serious consideration given the scale of the activity and growing scientific consensus that fish are sentient and can experience pain. Hooking causes physical trauma, and the physiological stress of the fight and handling is measurable and significant. Catch-and-release, while better than killing, still involves welfare costs. Minimising these through barbless hooks, minimising fight duration, using wet hands and keepnets only when necessary, and returning fish quickly all reduce welfare harms. Anglers who care about fish welfare should apply these practices consistently.

What You Can Do

Use barbless hooks to minimise injury and facilitate easy removal
Wet your hands before handling fish to protect their mucus coating
Minimise time out of water - keep fish submerged as much as possible during unhooking
Avoid keepnets where fish are held for long periods in stressful conditions
Support angling organisations that promote welfare-conscious catch-and-release practices