Catch and release in shark fishing is considered animal-friendly, but studies show: the practice causes stress, injuries, and high mortality.
Catch and release in sharks – a critical view
Catch and release – catching and then releasing – is seen by many sport fishers as a gentle method of returning sharks alive. The assumption: the shark swims away unharmed. But scientific studies show that this is often not the case.
What does “catch and release” mean in sharks?
In catch and release, sharks are caught with hooks, pulled to the boat or shore, and then released alive. This practice is especially common in the USA and Australia, while in Germany it is prohibited under animal welfare law. On the US East Coast alone, over 66 million sharks were caught by sport fishers in a single decade – most of them released.
Physical and psychological effects on sharks
For sharks, being caught means massive stress: the struggle exhausts them, leading to oxygen deprivation, lactic acidosis, and shock. Injuries from hooks are common; some sharks carry hooks in their mouths or stomachs for months. Studies show that the mortality rate after release varies significantly depending on the species. Sensitive species such as hammerheads or blacktip sharks often die in more than 50% of cases, while more robust species like tiger sharks show much higher survival rates.
Ecological consequences and trophic cascades
Sharks are apex predators and regulate the marine ecosystem. If a significant proportion dies after catch and release, it acts like a hidden fishing pressure. Especially for threatened species, even a small additional mortality can prevent population recovery. In addition, local population losses can trigger chain reactions in the ecosystem – one example being the changes in South Africa’s food web following the decline of great white sharks.
Critical voices from conservation and science
The German Animal Welfare Federation clearly labels catch and release as animal cruelty. Marine biologists such as Neil Hammerschlag (University of Miami) also warn that many sharks do not survive release. Organizations like the Shark Trust call for strict rules and codes of conduct for anglers. Critics emphasize: mere recreational fun does not justify the stress and mortality of the animals.
Alternatives and recommendations
- Avoid shark fishing as a hobby – encounters while diving or snorkeling are more animal-friendly.
- Gentle fishing methods (circle hooks, no barbs, spearfishing, leaving the shark in the water).
- Keep fight time and handling as short as possible.
- Use resuscitation aids in the water until the shark swims actively again.
- Involving anglers in scientific projects instead of trophy hunting.
Conclusion
Catch and release in sharks is by no means as harmless as often portrayed. The practice causes massive stress, injuries, and not infrequently the death of the animals. From an ecological and ethical perspective, it remains highly problematic. For divers and shark enthusiasts, there is an alternative: to experience the fascination of sharks respectfully by observing them in their natural habitat – without hooks.