Aquaculture

Farmed Carp Handling and Capture Stress

Carp experience significant stress during netting, grading, and transport, with physiological and behavioural indicators confirming their capacity for suffering.

Key Facts

Carp show cortisol spikes and erratic swimming after handling and netting
Anaesthesia using clove oil or CO2 reduces stress responses during procedures
Crowding and air exposure cause rapid deterioration in carp welfare
Carp can live for decades and form conditioned responses to human interaction
Welfare standards for carp are less developed than for salmonids

Welfare Considerations

Carp welfare is often overlooked despite their wide farming and recreational fishing use. Evidence supports that carp experience significant stress and warrant welfare consideration.

What You Can Do

Use anaesthesia during handling and grading where practical
Minimise air exposure time during capture and transfer
Support development of welfare standards specific to carp farming
Promote humane catch-and-release practices in recreational carp fishing