Wildlife

Wild Grey Heron Fishery Welfare

Grey herons face persecution at fish farms and angling sites, with welfare implications from shooting, trapping, and non-lethal deterrence that ranges widely in humaneness.

Key Facts

Grey herons are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in the UK
Licensed killing is permitted at fish farms under specific conditions
Non-lethal deterrents including netting, scarers, and electric fencing are highly effective
Herons have declined locally near heavily persecuted fisheries
Young herons have high mortality in their first year making persecution particularly impactful

Welfare Considerations

Heron persecution causes suffering to a protected species that rarely justifies its limited deterrent effect. Effective non-lethal alternatives exist and should replace lethal control.

What You Can Do

Use non-lethal deterrents including netting and electric fencing at fish farms
Report illegal heron killing to wildlife crime authorities
Support organisations monitoring heron persecution and promoting non-lethal solutions
Learn about effective non-lethal heron management to share with affected fish farmers