Fish Feel Pain

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Fish Feel Pain

 

 

While it may seem obvious that fish are able to feel pain, like every other

animal, some people still think of fish as swimming vegetables. In fact,

regarding the ability to feel pain, fish are equal to dogs, cats, and all

other animals. Dr. Donald Broom, scientific advisor to the British

government, explains, " The scientific literature is quite clear.

Anatomically, physiologically and biologically, the pain system in fish is

virtually the same as in birds and animals. " "

 

Indeed, neurobiologists have long recognized that fish have nervous systems

that comprehend and respond to pain, and anyone who made it through Biology

101 knows that fish have nerves and brains that sense pain, just like all

animals. Indeed, scientists tell us that fish brains and nervous systems

closely resemble our own. For example, fish (like " higher vertebrates " ) have

neurotransmitters like endorphins that relieve suffering-of course, the only

reason for their nervous systems to produce pain killers is to relieve pain.

Claiming that fish do not suffer is as intellectually and scientifically

sound as arguing that the Earth is flat.

 

Interestingly, scientists have created a detailed map of pain receptors in

fish's mouths and all over their bodies. A team of researchers at the

University of Guelph in Canada recently surveyed the scientific literature

on fish pain and intelligence. They concluded that fish feel pain and that

" the welfare of fish requires consideration. " Dr. Lynne Sneddon, a scientist

of fish biology in the United Kingdom, explains, " Really, it's kind of a

moral question. Is your angling more important than the pain to the fish? "

 

Scientists at Edinburgh University and the Roslin Institute in the United

Kingdom report that in response to pain, fish also feel emotional stress and

engage in " a 'rocking' motion strikingly similar to the kind of motion seen

in stressed higher vertebrates like mammals. " The research team concluded

that fish clearly experience pain in the same way as mammals, both

physically and psychologically. A study by scientists at the Queen's

University of Belfast proved that fish learn to avoid pain, just like other

animals. Rebecca Dunlop, one of the researchers, said: " This paper shows

that pain avoidance in fish doesn't seem to be a reflex response, rather one

that is learned, remembered and is changed according to different

circumstances. Therefore, if fish can perceive pain, then angling cannot

continue to be considered a non-cruel sport. "

 

As you would expect from animals who we now know to be intelligent and

<http://www.fishinghurts.com/feat-hiddenfish.asp> interesting individuals

with memories and the capacity to learn, fish can also suffer from fear and

anticipation of physical pain. Researchers from universities across America

have published research showing that some fish use sound to communicate

distress when nets are dipped into their tanks or they are otherwise

threatened. In a separate study, researcher William Tavolga found that fish

grunted when they received an electric shock. In addition, the fish began to

grunt as soon as they saw the electrode, clearly in anticipation of the

torment that Tavolga was inflicting on them.

 

According to Dr. Michael Fox, D.V.M, Ph.D., " Even though fish don't scream

[audibly to humans] when they are in pain and anguish, their behavior should

be evidence enough of their suffering when they are hooked or netted. They

struggle, endeavoring to escape and, by so doing, demonstrate they have a

will to survive. "

 

What happens to fish before they end up on your plate is nothing short of

cruelty to animals-whether they're farmed

<http://www.fishinghurts.com/fishfarms.asp> or pulled from the ocean

<http://www.fishinghurts.com/commercialFishing.asp> , fish are treated in

ways that would warrant felony charges if it were other animals who were so

horribly abused. Please click here

<http://www.fishinghurts.com/getActive.asp> to learn what you can do to

help stop this.

 

Click here <http://www.fishinghurts.com/pdfs/FishFeelPain.pdf> to read a

footnoted version of this report.

 

 

 

http://www.fishinghurts.com/FishFeelPain.asp

 

 

 

http://www.fishinghurts.com/pdfs/FishFeelPain.pdf