What management approach is typically favored in jurisdictions like the UK for established, non-native Wels catfish populations, contrasting sport fishing goals?

Management defaults to aggressive removal rather than catch-and-release practices.

The management strategy applied to the Wels catfish often depends entirely on whether it is considered native or invasive within a specific ecological border. In places like the United Kingdom, where the species is considered non-native and potentially damaging to local freshwater fish stocks, regulatory bodies strictly control its movement and stocking. Consequently, when management is required for established populations outside their historical range, the default strategy often involves aggressive removal efforts aimed at mitigating impact, rather than the catch-and-release practices commonly employed where the species is welcomed as a challenging sport catch.