Can fish experience pain and stress?
Yes, fish experience pain, just not the same way people do. It is cruel to make a fish suffer needlessly, just like it would be for any other animal. There used to be doubts whether fish could suffer, but nowadays most scientists no longer have these doubts. Partly because of this, the government has made a law that forbids fishing with live bait. In 2002 the killing of eels in salt baths will be banned, because the animals suffer needlessly. The Dutch Animal Protection Agency wants to take it a step further and is aiming towards a ban of sport fishing. Even when you doubt that fish can feel pain, wouldn’t it be more logical to give fish the benefit of the doubt for the time being, and avoid unnecessary suffering? We think it’s not just about whether fish can feel pain or not. It’s about showing respect towards nature. A study in 2000 in New Zealand showed that fish are able to recognize anglers as a threath, a behaviour only achievable by an ability to feel pain. Anglers in the UK als
