sealife to seafood

Fish suffer greatly when caught, farmed and killed for their flesh. While fisheries would like you to believe otherwise, numerous studies, including a recent study by the Roslin Institute and the University of Edinburgh, have found conclusive evidence that fish do feel pain.[1]

Fish, as well as unintended victims including dolphins, birds, and turtles, are captured in huge trawlers' nets, and squeezed for hours along with any netted rocks and other debris.

Dragged from the ocean depths, fish undergo excruciating decompression. The intense internal pressure ruptures their swimbladder, pops out their eyes, and pushes their stomach through their mouth.

They are then tossed onboard where many slowly suffocate or are crushed to death. Others are still alive when their throats and bellies are cut open.[2]

More than 2 billion fish (mainly catfish and trout) are raised on factory farms every year. On such “farms”, a 15-inch catfish is allowed only one cubic foot of living space. Rainbow trout are confined in shallow concrete troughs.[3]

According to author Joan Dunayer, "Because of crowding and filth, infections and parasite infestations plague intensively reared fishes, whose symptoms include scattered hemorrhages; red, swollen, and oozing gills; eroded skin, tails, and fins; and degeneration of internal organs. Fifty or more skin lice may latch onto a caged salmon from head to tail and eat into the salmon’s flesh. Afflicted fishes scrape themselves against their cage in a futile effort to relieve the intense irritation." [4]

At slaughter most salmon are dumped into water infused with carbon dioxide, making it painful for them to breathe. The carbon dioxide paralyzes them, but most are still conscious when their gill arches are slit for bleeding. Catfish are shocked with electricity. If the current is too weak, they are conscious when their head is cut off.[5]

References

1	BBC News. (2003, April 30). Fish do feel pain, scientists say.
2	PETA. Fishing Hurts. http://www.fishinghurts.com/com.html.
3	Dunayer, J. (2001). Animal equality (p. 132).
4	Dunayer, J. (2004). Fishes and the flesh industry.
5	Dunayer, J. (2001). Animal equality (pp.137-138).