Fish Are Smart and Feel
Pain
Pain
Scientists around the world have demonstrated that fish not
only feel pain but are aware of it and capable of suffering. Fish are even
able to feel pleasure in
ways similar to dogs, cats, and other animals.
only feel pain but are aware of it and capable of suffering. Fish are even
able to feel pleasure in
ways similar to dogs, cats, and other animals.
Just last year, Vox.com detailed a multitude
of fish abilities, including their abilities to “learn from each
other, recognize other fish they’ve spent time with previously, know their
place within fish social hierarchies, and remember complex spatial maps of
their surroundings.”
of fish abilities, including their abilities to “learn from each
other, recognize other fish they’ve spent time with previously, know their
place within fish social hierarchies, and remember complex spatial maps of
their surroundings.”
We’re Fishing the
Oceans Into Extinction
Oceans Into Extinction
By and large, the fishing industry is one of the biggest threats
to these intellectually complex and feeling creatures. It is also responsible
for destruction of vital aquatic ecosystems and does irreversible damage to
populations of all forms of ocean life.
to these intellectually complex and feeling creatures. It is also responsible
for destruction of vital aquatic ecosystems and does irreversible damage to
populations of all forms of ocean life.
A startling new report from the
World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London reveals that the
number of fish and other aquatic animals dropped
49 percent between 1970 and 2012 primarily due to overfishing.
World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London reveals that the
number of fish and other aquatic animals dropped
49 percent between 1970 and 2012 primarily due to overfishing.
Fish Farming Is Cruel
and Disgusting
and Disgusting
With harrowing predictions that all the world’s fisheries
will collapse by 2048,
the rapidly decreasing population of wild fish is leading to an increase
in fish farms where fish raised for food are forced to live in filthy, waste-filled
enclosures just like chickens or pigs on factory farms.
will collapse by 2048,
the rapidly decreasing population of wild fish is leading to an increase
in fish farms where fish raised for food are forced to live in filthy, waste-filled
enclosures just like chickens or pigs on factory farms.
According to a new piece by Bloomberg Business, “For the first time, the world is eating more
fish from farms than from the open sea.
fish from farms than from the open sea.
In 2010, Mercy For Animals conducted an undercover
investigation inside Catfish Corner, a fish slaughter facility. You can watch the investigation here.
investigation inside Catfish Corner, a fish slaughter facility. You can watch the investigation here.
Fish Is Loaded With
Salmonella, Mercury, and Other Contaminants
Salmonella, Mercury, and Other Contaminants
Researchers have found that mercury levels in tuna are 10
million times higher than in seawater, with human activities since the
Industrial Revolution to blame.
million times higher than in seawater, with human activities since the
Industrial Revolution to blame.
And some seafood imports are contaminated with salmonella and
other microbes as a result of feeding fish a diet of feces. In fact, according
to the FDA, seafood imports from China—around 27
percent of the seafood consumed by Americans—are frequently contaminated.
other microbes as a result of feeding fish a diet of feces. In fact, according
to the FDA, seafood imports from China—around 27
percent of the seafood consumed by Americans—are frequently contaminated.
Fish Isn’t a Health
Food
Food
Somehow, the recommendation to “eat less meat has
translated into a message to “eat fish. Touted for its omega-3 fats, fish is
widely considered the “healthy meat. But just like chicken and pork, fish and
other seafood is loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol, and is completely
devoid of fiber.
translated into a message to “eat fish. Touted for its omega-3 fats, fish is
widely considered the “healthy meat. But just like chicken and pork, fish and
other seafood is loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol, and is completely
devoid of fiber.
Fortunately, you don’t need to eat fish to obtain omega-3
fats. Instead, you can get them where the fish do—from
plants.
fats. Instead, you can get them where the fish do—from
plants.
Fish Aren’t the Only
Ones Suffering Abuse
Ones Suffering Abuse
The Indonesian fishing industry is notorious for its blatant
disregard for human and animal life. Tricked into slavery with the promise of
good wages, countless men are forced to work long hours, often with very little
food and unclean drinking water.
disregard for human and animal life. Tricked into slavery with the promise of
good wages, countless men are forced to work long hours, often with very little
food and unclean drinking water.
Earlier this year, the AP found that Burmese slaves might
have caught some of the seafood
sold at American grocery stores; the U.S. distributors receiving the
seafood sell to Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Albertson’s, and others.
have caught some of the seafood
sold at American grocery stores; the U.S. distributors receiving the
seafood sell to Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Albertson’s, and others.
—
The best thing we can do to remove our support from the
cruel fishing industry is to leave fish off our plates.
cruel fishing industry is to leave fish off our plates.
Check out all the amazing vegan versions of fish and other
seafood, like Gardein’s fishless filet
and crabless cakes,
available nationwide. Click here
for more compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
seafood, like Gardein’s fishless filet
and crabless cakes,
available nationwide. Click here
for more compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
For more information on transitioning to a kind vegan diet,
visit ChooseVeg.com.
visit ChooseVeg.com.
