Red-breasted mergansers face welfare threats from illegal persecution by anglers who perceive them as competitors for salmon and trout, despite evidence that merganser predation impact on fisheries is limited.
Red-breasted merganser welfare is threatened by persecution driven by angler conflict. Illegal killing causes acute suffering and is ecologically unjustified given the limited evidence for meaningful fishery impact. Licensing of lethal control, even occasionally, creates social legitimisation for persecution that extends beyond licensed removal. Non-lethal deterrent measures — visual deterrents, netting of key pools — are available alternatives that address angler concerns without welfare harm. Stronger enforcement of wildlife crime on fishing beats, combined with clear communication of the evidence against significant merganser fishery impact, are the primary systemic welfare interventions.