Perch Welfare in UK Freshwater Habitats

The perch is one of the UK's most widespread freshwater predatory fish, with welfare in natural habitats depending on water quality, prey availability, and freedom from introduced disease.

Key Facts

Perch are native to most of England and Wales, found in rivers, lakes, and gravel pits
Perch disease caused by Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies caused catastrophic population crashes in the 1970s
They are shoaling predators in juveniles, becoming more solitary as adults
Perch support a large recreational angling sector in the UK
Cormorant predation is a significant source of perch mortality in some still waters

Welfare Considerations

Perch disease outbreaks have historically caused mass mortality events in UK populations, with individual fish experiencing haemorrhagic skin lesions and ulceration before death. Recovery from population crashes has been slow in some waters. Angling causes acute stress through hooking, netting, and air exposure; welfare-conscious catch-and-release practices including barbless hooks and minimal air exposure reduce this impact. Cormorant predation on injured or weakened perch is a welfare concern in some managed fisheries. Water quality management that prevents pathogen proliferation directly protects perch welfare in natural habitats.

What You Can Do

Use barbless hooks and minimise air exposure time when angling for perch
Support water quality improvement programmes in river and lake catchments
Engage with fishery management bodies on evidence-based cormorant management approaches
Report suspected perch disease outbreaks to the Environment Agency for investigation