We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.
FROM
Mercy for Animals
October 2018
Catch-and-release fishing is when an angler catches a fish but then
releases the animal back into the water alive. This “sport” is often thought
of as harmless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
A new study from the University of California Riverside reveals that
catch-and-release fishing actually has a serious impact on a fish’s ability
to eat. Injuries caused by the sharp hook, especially removal of the hook
from the fish’s mouth, reduce the animal’s ability to catch food.
Fish catch food by suction feeding, or quickly opening their mouths to suck
in food. This is achieved by negative pressure, which is severely
compromised by the hole in the fish’s mouth where the hook was ripped out.
Tim Higham, UCR researcher, explained that the injury’s effect is similar to
that of drinking through a straw with a hole poked in the side.
The researchers discovered that fish with hook injuries had “significantly
reduced” feeding capabilities, which could lead to premature death. Trout,
bass, and salmon—all fish commonly targeted by catch-and-release anglers—are
among the fish who rely on suction feeding.
The truth is that fishing is unspeakably cruel. And while the scientific
community has been slow to accept that fish feel pain, the vast majority of
biologists and veterinarians now agree they do. In fact, fish are similar to
dogs, cats, and other animals in their experience of pain and pleasure.
Sadly, fish aren’t granted any protections from cruelty. 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. In 2016 an outbreak of sea lice stretched from
Scandinavia to Chile. Nearly half of Scotland’s salmon farms became infested
with the parasite, which feeds on blood, skin, and slime.
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 go partially deaf. Another study 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.
Sounds horrifying, right? See for yourself. (video)
Of course, we must stop cruel catch-and-release fishing. But the best thing
we can do to protect fish and all animals is to leave them off our plates.
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WESTCHESTER4GEESE is an adjunct of ANIMAL DEFENDERS OF WESTCHESTER. We advocate against all forms of animal abuse and exploitation, including hunting, experimentation, fur, circuses and rodeos - https://www.facebook.com/Westchester4Geese