A recent article in Hakai Magazine highlights multiple
scientific studies that prove fish experience pain much like land animals.
scientific studies that prove fish experience pain much like land animals.
The scientific community has been slow to accept that fish
feel pain, but now the vast majority of biologists and veterinarians agree they
do. Lynne Sneddon, a University of
Liverpool biologist and an expert on fish pain, tells Hakai Magazine: “Back in 2003, when I gave talks, I would ask, ‘Who
believes fish can feel pain?’ Just one or two hands would go up. Now you ask
the room and pretty much everyone puts their hands up.
feel pain, but now the vast majority of biologists and veterinarians agree they
do. Lynne Sneddon, a University of
Liverpool biologist and an expert on fish pain, tells Hakai Magazine: “Back in 2003, when I gave talks, I would ask, ‘Who
believes fish can feel pain?’ Just one or two hands would go up. Now you ask
the room and pretty much everyone puts their hands up.
Fish are similar to dogs, cats, and other animals in their
experience of pain
and pleasure. Ferris Jabr, the article’s author,
writes:
experience of pain
and pleasure. Ferris Jabr, the article’s author,
writes:
Scientists agree that most, if not
all, vertebrates (as well as some invertebrates) are conscious and that a
cerebral cortex as swollen as our own is not a prerequisite for a subjective
experience of the world. The planet contains a multitude of brains, dense and
spongy, globular and elongated, as small as poppy seeds and as large as
watermelons; different animal lineages have independently conjured similar
mental abilities from very different neural machines. A mind does not have to
be human to suffer.
Sadly, while mounting evidence proves that fish feel pain,
they’re not granted any protections from cruelty. In fact, not a single law
protects fish in the United States, whether they’re raised as pets, research
subjects, or food.
they’re not granted any protections from cruelty. In fact, not a single law
protects fish in the United States, whether they’re raised as pets, research
subjects, or food.
What’s more, fish raised and killed for food are put through
hell. Fish factory farms are filthy and overcrowded, making them perfect
breeding grounds for parasites. Last year an outbreak of sea lice stretched from Scandinavia to Chile.
Now nearly half of Scotland’s salmon farms are infested with the parasite,
which feeds on blood, skin, and slime.
hell. Fish factory farms are filthy and overcrowded, making them perfect
breeding grounds for parasites. Last year an outbreak of sea lice stretched from Scandinavia to Chile.
Now nearly half of Scotland’s salmon farms are infested with the parasite,
which feeds on blood, skin, and slime.
Fish farming is not only disgusting and dangerous but
incredibly cruel. According to a study in the Journal of Experimental
Biology, salmon bred and raised at fish factory farms grow
at such an accelerated rate that more than half of them go partially deaf.
Another study has found that many farmed salmon suffer from severe depression.
Known as “drop outs, depressed salmon float lifelessly.
incredibly cruel. According to a study in the Journal of Experimental
Biology, salmon bred and raised at fish factory farms grow
at such an accelerated rate that more than half of them go partially deaf.
Another study has found that many farmed salmon suffer from severe depression.
Known as “drop outs, depressed salmon float lifelessly.
In 2011 Mercy For Animals conducted an undercover
investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed fish being skinned alive. They
thrashed and fought to escape the workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for
oxygen, workers ripped off their skin with pliers.
investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed fish being skinned alive. They
thrashed and fought to escape the workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for
oxygen, workers ripped off their skin with pliers.
Sounds horrifying, right? See for yourself.
The best thing we can do to remove our support from the
cruel fishing industry is to leave fish off our plates and switch to a
compassionate vegan diet. Click here to
learn more. And check out these cruelty-free,
sea-inspired recipes.
cruel fishing industry is to leave fish off our plates and switch to a
compassionate vegan diet. Click here to
learn more. And check out these cruelty-free,
sea-inspired recipes.
