Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Călin LAȚIU, Andrei ARHIP, Paul UIUIU, George-Cătălin MUNTEAN, Raul-Lucian SAVIN, Radu CONSTANTINESCU, Daniel COCAN, Tudor PĂPUC, Cristian MARTONOS, Maria-Cătălina MATEI-LAȚIU
Fishing hooks remain a fundamental tool in recreational angling, particularly in carp fishing, where concerns about welfare are increasingly relevant in catch-and-release practices. This study aimed to assess and classify puncture lesions caused by fishing hooks in Cyprinus carpio across six intensively fished Romanian recreational lakes. Between March 2022 and March 2023, 92 carp specimens were captured using standardized rigs and hook sizes (6 and 8) during routine angling sessions. Hook placement and lesion severity were recorded through immediate post-capture photography and categorized as superficial, deep, or penetrating, based on veterinary surgical criteria. Lesions were anatomically grouped into four regions: upper lip, lower lip, commissures, and areas adjacent to the mouth. The majority of lesions (60%) were deep, followed by penetrating (28%) and superficial (12%). Most hook-related injuries were located on the lower lip (52%) and mouth commissures (38%), with significantly fewer on the upper lip (6%) and surrounding areas (4%). A Chi-Square test revealed a statistically significant non-uniform distribution of lesion anatomical landmarks (P < 0.0001). The lesion pattern is likely influenced by carp feeding behaviour and rig mechanics. These findings underscore the need to consider anatomical and behavioural factors when developing more welfare-conscious angling practices in managed carp fishing sport or recreational facilities.
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