Less Suffering in Fishing
A new report highlights the welfare of fish in longline fishing. The Carefish/catch consortium has published a new report that sheds light on the animal welfare issues in the longline fishery. The document focuses on small-scale coastal fishing activities in southern Portugal and proposes concrete recommendations to reduce the suffering of caught fish.
A Traditional Fishing Technique Under Scrutiny
Researchers have studied longline fishing, a technique where local fishermen lower long lines with baited hooks to the seabed. This method is used to catch commercially valuable species such as the white seabream (Diplodus sargus), the common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris), and the red porgy (Pagellus erythrinus). Although these small-scale fishing activities are considered low-impact and culturally valuable, the report clearly shows that there is significant room for improving the treatment of animals.
Vitality and Stress Under Observation
During eleven sea outings, researchers assessed the condition of the fish through direct observation and blood analysis. Various stress indicators were measured, such as cortisol, glucose, lactate, and blood salt concentration – a parameter that increases when fish are exposed to air. Although many fish appeared active at the time of capture, their vitality quickly diminished. After just an hour, the red porgies often showed no reactions – a clear sign of intense suffering. Blood values indicate that the stress level was already high at the time of recovery from the water, probably due to the prolonged struggle on the hook.
Recommendations to Improve Fish Welfare
The report identifies two critical moments when fish welfare can be compromised: the capture phase and handling on board. The main recommendations include:
- Reducing the time fish spend hooked to avoid injuries and exhaustion.
- Using gear more suited to animal welfare (e.g., circular or barbless hooks).
- Improving handling practices on board through crew training and awareness.
- Stunning and killing fish quickly and appropriately – for example, with a precise blow to the head followed by bleeding.
“Small-scale fishing activities can play a leading role in improving fish welfare,” says Fausta Borsani of the Carefish/catch consortium. “With relatively simple modifications to equipment and procedures, it is possible to significantly reduce suffering – while also improving product quality and consumer trust.“
A Call to Action
The Carefish/catch project collaborates closely with Friend of the Sea, a certification programme for fishing, to practically implement these measures. The report is part of an international initiative to include animal welfare among the criteria for sustainable fisheries.
Download the report here.
