Wildlife Welfare

Freshwater Fish Angling Welfare UK

Freshwater angling in the UK involves millions of anglers and billions of fish interactions; welfare standards for catch and release are increasingly evidence-based.

Key Facts

England and Wales have an estimated 3.5 million anglers using freshwater fisheries
Carp, tench, roach, and pike are among the most commonly caught and released species
Research confirms fish experience pain; stress from capture affects physiology for hours
Best practice guidelines from the Angling Trust recommend wet hands, minimal air time, and correct unhooking
Some waters have adopted weigh-in restrictions and mandatory return-to-water rules

Welfare Considerations

Freshwater angling welfare is an evidence-based and growing field; applying best-practice catch-and-release methods significantly reduces suffering for individual fish.

What You Can Do

Follow Environment Agency and Angling Trust best practice guidance
Invest in proper unhooking mats, forceps, and landing nets
Advocate for adoption of welfare guidelines as standard in angling clubs