Marine & Aquatic

Finfish Angling Welfare: Catch-and-Release Best Practices

Recreational fishing affects millions of fish annually. Catch-and-release practices and tackle design influence how much harm is caused to individual fish.

Key Facts

Over 3 million people fish recreationally in the UK annually
Fish experience pain through nociceptors and show avoidance learning after injury
Hook injuries cause tissue damage that may persist after release
Barbless hooks reduce injury and are required in many catch-and-release fisheries
Prolonged air exposure during handling causes physiological stress and mortality
Landing nets designed to prevent slime loss reduce post-release infection risk

Welfare Considerations

Angling welfare sits uncomfortably between recreation culture and emerging evidence of fish sentience. Hook injuries, air exposure, handling stress, and lactic acid buildup all cause measurable harm. Best-practice catch-and-release - barbless hooks, minimal air exposure, water-level photography, and quick release - substantially reduces individual fish suffering. Regulation lags behind the science in most jurisdictions.

What You Can Do

Use barbless hooks and minimise handling time when fishing
Photograph fish at water level rather than holding them aloft
Advocate for mandatory barbless hooks in freshwater catch-and-release fisheries