Sport fishing involves both catch-and-release practices and lethal harvest. The welfare implications of fishing methods, handling practices, and fish sentience recognition are increasingly discussed in both scientific and angling communities.
Sport fishing welfare sits at an unusual intersection: the angling community has strong conservation ethics and a vested interest in fish population health, but has historically been resistant to framing fish welfare as a distinct concern. The scientific evidence on fish pain and stress has advanced considerably, making welfare conversations within angling more scientifically grounded. The good news is that the practices that improve catch-and-release survival — barbless hooks, wet hands, minimal air exposure, quick release — are also welfare-positive practices. Many engaged anglers already follow these practices for conservation reasons. The welfare conversation extends the same reasoning: practices that reduce fish stress and mortality are both conservation- and welfare-positive. Framing welfare in conservation language accessible to anglers may be more productive than emphasizing the philosophical dimensions.