Statement on the topic of "Catch & Release"

Angelradar stands for responsible and law-compliant angling. Our guiding principle is based on a sustainable, animal-welfare-compliant approach to fish stocks and the conscious use of resources.

The deliberate practice of catching fish with the intention of releasing them without any intention of using them (so-called "Catch & Release") is not supported on Angelradar. Our aspiration is to understand angling as a responsible form of food acquisition - not as a competition or self-promotion.

We expressly acknowledge the competence of our users. Releasing protected or undersized fish is, of course, self-evident and required by law. In such cases we expect an immediate, gentle return to the water - without unnecessary delay or strain.

Conscious handling of fish means minimizing stress and suffering. Practices such as keeping fish for the purpose of photography, delayed release, or repeated retention without a recognizable purpose of use contradict the principles of our platform.

Legal framework

The legal assessment of Catch & Release is not uniformly regulated in Europe and is subject to national fishing law:

• Germany: The Animal Welfare Act (Section 17 TierSchG) prohibits the infliction of pain, suffering or harm without a "reasonable cause". A purely sporting motivation without any intention of use is increasingly being assessed critically, both legally and morally. Angling primarily serves the purpose of use.
• Austria: Catch & Release is permitted only to a limited extent or not at all in several federal states. Fishing law falls within the competence of the federal states - an obligation to keep the catch is provided for in many places.
• Switzerland: Under the Animal Welfare Act as well as the provisions of the Federal Act on Fishing, the deliberate release of fish without a reasonable cause is generally not permitted. Here, too, the following applies: an intention of use must be present.
• Luxembourg: The fishing regulations stipulate that only fish subject to legal protection provisions (closed seasons, sizes) may be released. Catch & Release for other reasons is not provided for.
• Netherlands: Generally permitted, provided animal welfare is maintained. In practice, however, controversial; the use of live bait fish or prolonged retention is legally sensitive and socially contested.

In many further European countries that Angelradar now maps, Catch & Release is handled more liberally than in the German-speaking region - yet everywhere it remains bound by animal welfare law as well as closed seasons and minimum sizes:

• Belgium: Fishing law falls to the regions (Flanders/Wallonia). Catch & Release is generally permitted and widespread, provided the welfare of the fish is maintained. To protect certain stocks, release is in some cases even mandatory.
• Denmark: Catch & Release is permitted and common practice. Undersized or protected fish must be released; a gentle, swift handling is expected.
• Finland: Catch & Release is generally permitted and widespread. Undersized or protected fish must be released; animal-friendly handling is required.
• France: Catch & Release ("no-kill") is widely permitted and well established; designated no-kill stretches exist in many places. For certain species and waters, retention or release obligations nonetheless apply.
• Italy: Catch & Release is largely permitted and regulated differently by region; many regions have no-kill zones. For invasive species, release may be prohibited.
• Croatia: Catch & Release is generally permitted; no-kill stretches exist particularly on salmonid waters. Closed seasons and minimum sizes must be observed.
• Norway: Catch & Release is permitted and widespread (especially in salmon angling), with the Animal Welfare Act requiring gentle handling. For certain stocks, release is even mandatory.
• Poland: Catch & Release is widespread and accepted; the regulations of the anglers' association (PZW) provide for minimum sizes and closed seasons with a release obligation for several species.
• Portugal: Catch & Release is generally permitted and regulated regionally; designated C&R stretches exist on some waters. Retention restrictions apply to certain species.
• Sweden: Catch & Release is permitted and common practice. Minimum sizes and closed seasons require release; gentle handling is expected.
• Slovakia: Catch & Release is generally permitted; no-kill regulations exist on many waters. Closed seasons and minimum sizes are binding.
• Slovenia: Catch & Release has a long tradition particularly on salmonid waters; numerous stretches are designated no-kill. Release is expressly welcomed in many places.
• Spain: Fishing law falls to the autonomous regions; Catch & Release is regulated very differently - from designated C&R waters to release bans for invasive species. The regional provisions are decisive.
• Czech Republic: Catch & Release is generally permitted and widespread; catches must be recorded in the catch log. Minimum sizes and closed seasons require release.
• Hungary: Catch & Release is generally permitted and especially widespread in carp angling. Minimum sizes, closed seasons and retention limits must be observed.

Responsibility and attitude

The Animal Welfare Act obliges everyone throughout Europe to handle vertebrates with care. Anyone who fishes bears responsibility - legally and ethically. Angling therefore requires not only expertise, but also the right attitude.

We appeal to every single person on Angelradar: anyone who fishes makes a conscious decision - for or against keeping the catch. This decision must always be made on the basis of the legal provisions and with regard to animal welfare.

Only if everyone involved acts with a sense of proportion does angling remain what it is meant to be: a respectful, meaningful and legally sound interaction with nature and animals.