Commercial fishing gear causes physical brain damage and neuroinflammation in wild Atlantic cod.
April 25, 2026
Original Paper
Neurobiological responses to fishing gear in wild Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
SSRN · 6641652
The Takeaway
Fishing is usually viewed through the lens of population numbers, but this study looked at what happens inside the heads of the fish themselves. Cod caught in gillnets show patterns of neurodegeneration and brain swelling that are not seen in fish caught with other methods like Danish seines. These different capture techniques trigger distinct stress responses that permanently alter the animal brain chemistry. The research proves that the experience of being caught is biologically traumatic in ways we never measured before. This data could be used to design more humane fishing practices that minimize the suffering of wild populations. The method of capture is written into the fish brain tissue.
From the abstract
There is an increasing interest in the ethical capture and welfare of wild caught fish. Despite this, the methods used to catch and kill fish in commercial fisheries remain associated with significant welfare concerns. It is therefore necessary to understand the neurophysiological, and endocrine responses of fish to different fishing gear in order to understand and highlight the welfare challenges affecting wild fish populations. We characterized the neuronal activity, neuroendocrine, neurochemi