An excellent, fact-based article in the current issue of VegNews
magazine entitled “Just Say No to PescaVegetarianism” by Paula Moore
should be a must-read for everyone.
Paula Moore quotes scientists on the latest findings about the
cognitive powers of fish which “In many areas, such as memory…match or
exceed those of ‘higher’ vertebrates, including non-human primates.”
“Fish can learn to avoid nets by watching what other fish do, and ‘they
are capable of learning quickly…’ ” “Fish also feel pain, and they
suffer horribly on the journey from sea to supermarket…”
I’m glad we stopped eating fish decades ago, even before the
scientific studies revealing the truth about the lives of fish. We
didn’t need to have anyone explain to us that fish suffer pain; we could
see that for ourselves, and refused to hide from the truth in order to
justify eating them.
It has become common knowledge that many varieties of fish, including
canned tuna, are contaminated with mercury; but fish can also be tainted
with toxic chemicals such as DDT, PCBs and dioxin. If compassion doesn’t
stop people from eating fish, perhaps concern for their health will.
Studies prove that mercury can cause brain damage, neurological problems
in adults and learning disabilities in children.
As for the myth that fish from the Artic region are “safe” to eat –
then why is mercury found in polar bears who live there? It is obvious
that the animals that polar bears eat are contaminated with mercury from
the fish that they eat.
I liked this observation by Paula Moore which I quote here: “A fish
is not a vegetable. It seems ridiculous to have to point this out, but
vegetarians are constantly being asked – by waiters, well-meaning
friends, and other confused carnivores – if we eat fish. Or worse,
people who do eat fish run around claiming to be vegetarian.”
Well said!
