But a Fish is a Vegetable, Isn't It?

by Karen Bevis

How often do we hear people say “I’m vegetarian” only to find out later that they eat fish. What is it about fish that people seem to consider them vegetables? Lets first consider the definition of a vegetarian. The Webster Dictionary defines vegetarian as “one who eats no meat”, “consisting only of vegetables, fruits etc.”

There is no mention here of fish at all, or flesh of any kind or colour. Indeed that is the very nature of vegetarianism.

In fact a fish is a sentient being, as much as a cow, chicken or pig is and should never be considered part of any diet based on ethics and compassion. It appears that the confusion may arise because fish do not dwell in the same realm as we do, their lives are mysterious to us and we do not easily relate to them as individuals. We can not see their personalities. This does not, however, mean that such traits do not exist.

Intelligence
According to Dr Culum Brown of Macquarie University, and co-author of Fish Cognition and Behaviour, in his study released in 2006 fish could be as socially able as monkeys and elephants. Having studied fish for the past ten years, Dr Brown found that they have impressive memories, learn quickly and can teach each other.

In the enclosed space of aquariums they often exhibit abnormal behaviours. These include abnormal feeding, shelter-seeking, bottom-sitting, head-standing and tail-walking. Repetitive behaviours were seen in 90% of the aquariums visited for Dr Brown’s study.

Dr Theresa Burt de Perera of Oxford University in 2004 found that fish construct mental ‘maps’ of their surroundings, and quickly memorise any alterations, putting paid to the idea that goldfish have such short memories that they have forgotten where they have been by the time they swim around their bowl. Of course such ridiculously short memories would make it impossible to survive in a natural environment!

Trauma to Wild Caught Fish
In 2003, Dr Lynne Sneddon from the University of Liverpool proved, via some rather unsavoury research methods, that rainbow trout feel pain and that their pain receptors have similar properties to those found in amphibians, birds and mammals – including humans.

A Dutch study in 1988 by Prof.dr.F.J. Verheijen & Dr.R.J.A. Buwalda found that fear and stress was a significant factor in fish caught by anglers, and one of the reasons that a fish once caught and released, will learn from the experience and avoid being caught again.

Catching and then releasing fish is popular in fishing competitions. Fish are weighed and then released. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife in a study that they undertook, 39% of Bass died after being released. In another study 69% of Silver Salmon died after being released. The physical trauma caused by the hook penetrating the mouth can cause difficulty in feeding and the possibility of infection.

Given these, and many other studies, imagine the pain and distress caused to fish of all species who are targeted by humans, whether it be by commercial or recreational fishing. We have all seen the image of a fish flopping around on the deck of a boat – that fish is not giving some automated mechanical response, it is stressed, it is terrified, and it is suffocating.

Factory Fish Farms
Yes fish experience the appalling conditions of factory farming too. Farming of Atlantic Salmon is common in the estuaries of Tasmania. These fish are ‘grown’ in round mesh pens. Around 40,000 individuals are crammed into each and treated in much the same way, from beginning to end, as other factory farmed species. Trout farming is also common in Tasmania.

In fact aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world with some experts at the 2006 world aquaculture conference predicting that within 25 years half of all fish eaten will be farmed (read factory farmed). At the current time around 27% of the world seafood supply is from aquaculture

Health

Conclusion
So the next time you hear someone who eats fish claim the title of ‘vegetarian’ for themselves, politely engage them in conversation and point out the facts about fish. PETA have an excellent website dedicated to fish where you can find our more: www.nofishing.net