Research Study Shows Carp in Fisheries are Less Stressed Than in the Wild

A new study conducted by the University of Bournemouth has shed light on the levels of chronic stress exhibited by carp in recreational settings compared to those in their natural habitats.

Research led by Bournemouth University Professor Robert Britton found that domesticated carp exhibited lower cortisol levels than wild carp and, by extension, chronic stress. Professor Britton and his team compared five recreational fisheries with five wild carp populations to gather the results.

According to previously published findings, cortisol levels in a carp's scales are a determinant of stress levels. Stress reliance and food availability may be factors in why carp in domestic environments are less stressed than in their natural habitats. Fishery carp may have developed genetic traits to combat stress, unlike their wild counterparts.

This study contributes to the existing literature on domesticated fishing and the impact that angling can have on fish. It presents an alternative narrative to the notion that fishing may harm the well-being of fish in a fishery setting.

For more information on this study, please refer to the original release and the full research paper.