STI News: Fish do suffer at the hands of anglers

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Fish do suffer at the hands of anglers

 

 

 

PEOPLE are usually disgusted by the abuse of animals for fun, but when the

spotlight turns to angling, many are indifferent or even supportive.

 

This may be because fish live in an alien environment and they do not seem to

show distress in an obvious way and cannot vocalise pain. Whatever the reason,

fish are regarded more like inanimate objects.

 

Anglers often portray their pastime as a peaceful recreation - a way of

enjoying nature and getting away from the pressures of modern living.

 

However, angling causes fish pain, fear and stress. This is backed by

scientific evidence.

 

Fish suffer and many die as a result of their experiences at the hands of

anglers, even if they are put back into the water after capture.

 

The 1980 Medway Report, sponsored by the United Kingdom's Royal Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the result of three years' investigation by

a panel of leading scientists and a representative from an angling organisation,

concluded that there was sufficient evidence to show that fish are capable of

suffering.

 

Fish are vertebrate animals, having a central nervous system well-endowed with

pain receptors around the body. Painful stimuli are transmitted to the brain, as

reaction to pain allows fish to respond to environmental changes in a way

essential for their survival.

 

To defend themselves from criticism, anglers say that most fish caught are put

back in the water rather than killed. This overlooks the fact that the process

of catching and removing a fish from the water causes a great deal of suffering.

 

Fish returned to the water can die from their injuries or the stress of being

caught.

 

Furthermore, fish take time to recover from the shock of being caught and,

during that time, they are extremely vulnerable to harm from the physical

environment.

 

A description of the process involved in catching a fish highlights the cruelty

involved. The fish is lured by bait onto a hook that pierces through its lips

which, like the rest of its body, contain lots of nerve endings, meaning that it

feels pain when hooked.

 

After being pulled out of the water into the air, the fish starts to suffocate,

as it is a non-air breather.

 

When removed from water, the fish's gills (similar to our lungs) soon begin to

collapse and may bleed. Time out of water may be prolonged by those anglers who

like to record their big catch on film.

 

Sometimes, fish swallow the hook, which may damage internal organs or emerge

through the gills.

 

Fish also have a delicate mucous layer covering their scales to help guard

against infection.

 

This can be damaged easily during handling out of water, even when using wet

hands. If damage is caused to this invisible layer, it leaves the fish

vulnerable to disease when returned to water.

 

Whether fresh or salt-water fish, the most important point to remember is that

they can all suffer pain and stress.

 

 

 

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS

 

President

 

Sahabat Alam Malaysia

IP Address:203.106.150.181