New Fish Study Spares a Thought for Welfare

Fish welfare issues are increasingly appearing on social and political agendas and have recently gained prominence in fisheries literature. Issues of concern were the feelings-based approach to fish welfare, the artificial divide between human beings and nature; and the ways by which stakeholders can address fish welfare issues.

The study showed that the suffering-centred approaches to fish welfare and the extension of the moral domain to fish – characteristic of the concepts of animal liberation and animal rights – are not the cornerstone of animal welfare. "This, however, does not question the need of fisheries stakeholders to consider the well-being of fish when interacting with them", says an abstract of the report.

There are many ways in which recreational fishing stakeholders can modify standard practices to improve the welfare of fish, without questioning fishing as an activity per se. Examples are choice of gear and handling techniques. Previous accounts have failed to include discussions of the many efforts – voluntary or mandated – pursued by fisheries stakeholders to reduce fish stress, injury and mortality.

"Progress towards addressing fish welfare issues will be enhanced by avoiding the viewing of humans as 'non-natural' disturbance to fishes and keeping three types of crucial question in separate compartments. The three questions cover the symptoms of good and poor welfare, the conscious experience of suffering, and the ethical attitudes towards animals" says the abstract.

"Fish biologists should focus on the first question – objective measurement of biochemical, physiological and behavioural indicators – to evaluate whether human interactions with fish impair the latters' health or prevent them from receiving what they need, if held in captivity."

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