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SHOCKLEADER
concentrations in the range of instead be the most stress
the domesticated carp, most resilient. This is reassuring
wild carp had substantially that fish welfare in fisheries
higher scale cortisol - in some based on hatchery-reared fish
cases, well over ten times the might not be compromised by
cortisol concentration. So, their regular angling capture.”
despite their regular angling Co-author Dr Josephine Pegg
exploitation, the domesticated of the South African Institute
carp had much lower levels of for
Aquatic
Biodiversity
chronic stress than those in commented
“Recreational
the wild.
fisheries provide significant
The authors believe these socioeconomic
value
differences in stress resilience worldwide, but it’s important
relate to the domestication of to recognise that the animals at
carp producing strains with the heart of these systems also
traits that include resilience deserve consideration and care.
to chronic stressors, coupled I’m pleased this work helps
with their presence in fisheries advance our understandings
where there is an abundance around the welfare of fish used
of food available from angling in angling”.
baits. The wild carp might also However, the authors caution
be more active, for example that despite the apparent
through searching for food, resilience of their fish to chromic
which could elevate their stress, fishery managers should
general cortisol levels.
continue to apply a range of
Professor Britton commented welfare metrics to safeguard
“Our results suggest that the their fish, including monitoring
fish that we considered could disease levels and water quality,
be most vulnerable to chronic especially during the current
stress from angling could period of warm weather.
Big Carp 19