The Hindu : New Delhi News : A call for compassion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

A call for compassion

Social MESSAGE: PETA’s new advertisement shows how eating fish is cruel and disastrous for the environment.

eople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has released a new advertisement showing a hook through a dog’s lip, pointing out how eating fish is cruel and disastrous for the environment.

This brand new advertisement, which will soon be appearing in magazines and on billboards, states that fish are intelligent individuals who deserve compassion.

Scientific research confirms what marine biologists have been saying for years. Fish are sensitive and intelligent. A recent issue of ‘Fish and Fisheries’ cited more than 500 research papers on fish intelligence, proving that fish are smart, that they can use tools and that they have impressive long-term memories and sophisticated social structures.

“Because no laws or regulations adequately regulate the treatment of fish, both commercial and fish farmers treat fish in a cruel manner. Dragged from the bottom of the ocean, fish undergo excruciating decompression — the intense internal pressure often ruptures their swim-bladders, pops out their eyes and pushes their stomachs through their mouths. They are then tossed on to ship decks, where many slowly suffocate or are crushed to death. Others are still alive when their throats and bellies are cut open,” states a PETA release.

“Factory-farmed fish are subjected to extremely cruel conditions, which spread infections and parasites – including to wild fish populations. Farmers use antibiotics and other drugs to keep the fish alive and make them grow, but because of the horrendous condition on fish farms, up to 40 per cent of farmed fish die even before slaughter,” adds the release.

“Like the flesh of animals, fish flesh contains excessive amounts of protein, fat and cholesterol. Also, fishing is destructive to the environment,” adds PETA’s vegan campaign co-ordinator Nikunj Sharma.

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

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