Angler lands record catfish: What does the animal protection law say?

Angler lands record catfish: What does the animal protection law say?

In an exciting competition between man and nature, angler Jakub Vágner recently caught an impressive catfish from the waters of northern Germany. With hours of patience and a strong will, Vágner needed all of 50 minutes to pull the huge fish onto land. What's special about this catch? He even surpassed his previous record and caused excitement among fishing enthusiasts. In a video, he not only recorded his catch, but also documented how important it is to him to protect the fish.

But what happened to the caught catfish? After measuring and photographing it is put back into the lake. It should be noted that the “catch and release” method is not without controversy in Germany. As various reports illustrate, the release of fish is viewed as problematic in German jurisprudence and is even classified as animal cruelty. In Germany, according to the animal protection laws (§17 Animal Welfare Act), it is not permitted to kill fish or cause them pain without a reasonable reason, and this also applies to releasing them.

The legal gray areas

The legal situation surrounding “catch and release” is confusing. As can be read on angelmagazin.de, anglers have been reported for animal cruelty in the past after releasing fish. The verdicts often depend on the individual circumstances of the case, which leads to a variety of decisions in the jurisprudence. So the question remains: Do the fish actually suffer from being released? This discussion divides opinions in science.

Scientists disagree about whether fish can feel pain. Some argue that certain behavioral changes indicate a feeling of pain, while others do not share this view. The mortality rate of released fish also varies depending on the species and fishing gear used - walleye, for example, have a mortality rate of 27.5%, while carp only have a mortality rate of 3.3%. Avoiding barbed hooks can greatly improve the fish's chances of survival.

A changing of the guard in fishing

In the past, fishing was primarily aimed at providing food. However, today this trend has changed and fishing has become a popular hobby and sport for many. The discussion about animal protection and legal regulations has become more important. According to the regulations in other countries, the Netherlands, for example, requires the release of certain species, while Denmark and Sweden encourage the release but do not require it. In Switzerland and Norway, however, “catch and release” is prohibited under certain circumstances.

What is particularly worrying is the fact that over 90% of native river fish species in Germany are considered threatened. Here, “catch and release” could actually have a positive impact on fish stocks, especially in heavily fished waters. Careful handling of caught fish is crucial in order to increase their chances of survival. Tips from the fishing community advise avoiding treble hooks and barbs and keeping the time on land as short as possible.

As Jakub Vágner observed, respect for the life of fish is paramount. Anglers are required to adhere to applicable laws and regulations in order to ensure sustainable fishing and stocks. Whether in North German nature or elsewhere – a good knack for preserving our aquatic inhabitants is in demand and necessary.