Billions of fish die every year in nets and on hooks for human consumption. Commercial fishers use miles-long trawlers stretched across the ocean to catch fish. Fish are scraped raw from rubbing against the rocks and debris caught in the nets with them. Then they bleed or suffocate to death on the decks of the ships, gasping for oxygen and suffering for as long as 24 hours (1). Millions of tons of fish who are considered to be undersized are left to die on the decks or are tossed back into the ocean, where they usually die soon afterward (2). Because the trawlers do not discriminate between species, many other animals (rays, dolphins, porpoises, crabs etc) get entangled and die. Some fishing boats use gill nets, which ensnare every animal they catch. Fish are further mutilated when they are extracted from the tangled nets. These nets are also thought to be the major killer of marine mammals due to commercial-fishing practices (3). Long line fishing in which 40 miles of monofilament fishing line dangles thousands of individually baited hooks to catch tuna and swordfish is also responsible for the death of many marine animals. Fish coming from aquaculture are raised in tubs or confined to roped-off areas of the sea or ocean where each animal has just a bit more room than the space taken up by his or her body. Farmed fish consume 12 percent of al commercial caught fish, as well as a steady diet of pesticides, antibiotics, and herbicides (5). Fish and crustaceans who could live for years in the ocean live only a few short months on fish farms. To keep fish-eating birds from eating the animals in open aquaculture ponds, many aqua farmers kill the birds. Fish do not suffer less than other animals. Fish have indeed a pain system similar to the one of birds and mammals. They have fully developed brains and nervous systems and very sensitive mouths. They use their tongues and mouths as humans might use their hands to catch or gather food, build nests, and even hide their offspring from danger. Fish also experience fear. When chased, confined or otherwise threatened, fish react as humans do to stress: with increased heart and breathing rates and a burst of adrenalin. They also have unique personalities, and some follow divers around and enjoy being petted, just like dogs or cats.
References: (1) Dawn Carr, personal experience on fishing trawler, Summer 2003. (2) Stephen C. Volter et al, Changes in Fisheries Discard Rates and Seabird Communities, Nature, 19 Feb 2004. (3) Andrew J. Read and Phebe Drinker, Catches of Marine Mammals in US Fisheries and a First Attempt to Estimate the Magnitude if Global Marine mammal By-Catch, June 2003. (4) Duke Study Gives First Worldwide measure of Sea Turtle Casualties by Longline Fishing, EurekaAlert, 8 Mar. 2004 (5) Kendell Powell, Eat Your Ve4g, Nature, 27 Nov. 2003. |
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