We hear it all the time: I’m a vegetarian, but I eat fish.
Let’s be clear. Fish are not vegetables, and eating fish is eating meat.
Let’s be clear. Fish are not vegetables, and eating fish is eating meat.
According to Webster’s dictionary, a vegetarian
is “a person who does not eat meat: someone whose diet consists wholly of
vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products. By definition,
a vegetarian does not eat any animal flesh, fish flesh included.
is “a person who does not eat meat: someone whose diet consists wholly of
vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products. By definition,
a vegetarian does not eat any animal flesh, fish flesh included.
While the words vegan
and vegetarian can be easily
misconstrued—in certain contexts vegetarian
describes a 100 percent plant-based diet and in others includes dairy and
eggs—a vegetarian diet never
includes fish.
and vegetarian can be easily
misconstrued—in certain contexts vegetarian
describes a 100 percent plant-based diet and in others includes dairy and
eggs—a vegetarian diet never
includes fish.
Those who consume seafood
but no land animals are known as pescetarians, not vegetarians.
but no land animals are known as pescetarians, not vegetarians.
Some people switch to a vegetarian diet by slowly cutting
back on animal products. For a while, they may continue consuming fish. But
this should definitely not be an end goal—especially if your decision is based
on withdrawing your support of industries that exploit and hurt animals.
back on animal products. For a while, they may continue consuming fish. But
this should definitely not be an end goal—especially if your decision is based
on withdrawing your support of industries that exploit and hurt animals.
There’s no nice way
to put this: Eating fish is incredibly cruel.
to put this: Eating fish is incredibly cruel.
Scientists worldwide have demonstrated that fish and other
animals feel pain and are capable of suffering. Fish are even similar to dogs,
cats, and other animals in the way they feel pleasure.
animals feel pain and are capable of suffering. Fish are even similar to dogs,
cats, and other animals in the way they feel pleasure.
Like pigs, cows, and chickens, fish killed for meat suffer
immensely. A 2011 Mercy For Animals undercover investigation at a fish
slaughter facility uncovered fish being skinned alive. As the fish gasped for
oxygen, their skin was ripped off with pliers. They flailed and fought to
escape the workers’ knives.
immensely. A 2011 Mercy For Animals undercover investigation at a fish
slaughter facility uncovered fish being skinned alive. As the fish gasped for
oxygen, their skin was ripped off with pliers. They flailed and fought to
escape the workers’ knives.
Watch the horror for yourself:
Vegetarian diets consist of plants, not animal flesh. Fish
are not plants; they’re living, breathing animals. And going vegan, or 100
percent vegetarian, means eating no animal products whatsoever.
are not plants; they’re living, breathing animals. And going vegan, or 100
percent vegetarian, means eating no animal products whatsoever.
The best thing we can do to withdraw our support from the cruel, unsustainable, and unhealthy fishing industry is to leave fish
off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet.
off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet.
Click here to get started!
