Recreational angling catches millions of fish annually in the UK. The welfare of caught-and-released fish is better understood than commonly assumed, with practical improvements achievable.
Angling welfare is a genuine welfare issue for sentient fish experiencing capture stress, handling, and air exposure. The science is clear that fish experience physiological stress during capture and that air exposure compounds this stress. However, catch-and-release with appropriate technique - barbless hooks, minimised air exposure, support in water during recovery, and return to cool oxygenated water - dramatically reduces welfare impact compared to poor practice. The angling community has broadly accepted welfare responsibility, and anglers following best practice codes represent a welfare-conscious approach to recreational fishing.