Explore the cruelty at the fishing industry- Part I

Image courtesy - The Fish Industry: Cruelty on a Massive Scale (animalequality.org)

It is roughly estimated that almost trillions of fish including tuna, swordfish, and lot many varieties are slaughtered in order to satiate human beings' love for seafood. And, this is colossal damage we do to the aquatic ecosystems as well. Let us have an overview of the large-scale cruelty we do to fish and other sea creatures.

Helping you understand how fish thrives

Fish are complex social beings that can thrive together in groups. They are sentient beings that are curious, intelligent, and susceptible to pain or trauma. Hence, in a nutshell, these are emotional organisms capable of feeling pain, trauma, and fear. As many non-vegans would say, the fish are floating vegetables belonging to the sea or ocean. However, these are baseless stuff and science has proved to us that fish have feelings of pain and suffering. They are living beings that comprise the central nervous system. 

At the inland fishing farms

At these fishing farms, fish are considered mere commodities. Zero protection is given to these gentle sea creatures with respect to their lives or well-being. If you have a look at it, most of the fish you eat today are typically raised on ocean-based aqua farms or via inland farms. Millions of fish are bred through artificial means and are tightly packed across shallow water spaces. Via factory farming, these fish spend years of confinement in waters that are rich in nitrates and ammonia. The fish are then collected in tubes that let them suffocate and bleed to death. The fishing factories then collect the dead fish for meat processing.

Again, if you have a look at it, it is pretty common that fish can get infested with bacterial infections as they are made to thrive in tightly packed environments. The bacteria feed on the gills, organs, or blood of the fish. Viral breakouts are also inevitable. 

Commercial level of sea farming

At the oceanic zones, you have industrial-level farming being done. Again, colossal damage is done to these gentle creatures. Almost trillions of sea animals perish during the process. Sea ships that measure the size of football fields use techniques such as long lining or use gill nets to catch freshwater fish. 

Via a longlining process, you have hundreds or thousands of baited hooks that are attached to long rods. These can unravel up to 50 miles of lines. Several thousands of fish get caught this way. 

Again gill nets range from 300 feet to 7 miles in length. They create large walls of nets that the fish cannot detect. They inadvertently swim into them and suffocate and then bleed to death. 

Cruel level of slaughtering involved too

Sometimes the fish are dragged out from the seawater. They desperately try to escape however their gills start collapsing thereby not letting them breathe. Larger sea animals like tuna or swordfish are literally clubbed to death. These animals, once they gain consciousness, are beaten or thumped on their heads or foreheads again and again until the fish eventually die. 

Conclusion

We will also have a look at how the fishing industry contaminates the environment around us. You will also be learning about how commercial fishing nets lead to bycatch which is further accelerating the number of endangered sea animals that die even though they are not used in the fishing industry. So, stay tuned for more insightful updates on how this devastating industry causes havoc to the planet we live on.  

Info from:- The Fish Industry: Cruelty on a Massive Scale (animalequality.org)

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