In June 2009, the charity Macmillan Cancer Support held its annual 'Big Fish' event to raise funds, where people are sponsored to fish and can win prizes such as for the heaviest fish caught.
The irony of this event is that the founder of Macmillan Cancer Support, Douglas Macmillan, was a vegetarian. He even edited a journal for a year or so around 1911 called The Better Quest which sought to encourage orthodox Christians to consider vegetarianism!
In 1909, Douglas Macmillan wrote an open letter to all Christians entitled 'Shall We Slay' which urged people to become vegetarian. Here is a link to the article http://www.articles.homecall.co.uk/hvg104shallweslay/
It is disappointing that a charity dedicated to helping prevent suffering is using such a barbaric means of fundraising. Multiple studies show that fish do feel pain, and even those who are released back into the water after being caught often die from their injuries.
Other wildlife such as swans and ducks can also be injured, or even killed, by discarded hooks and lines.
While it was too late to stop the event from taking place this year, we will keep applying pressure to stop it from ever taking place again! Please help us to stop this cruel and barbaric event. There are so many other ways to raise money instead of inflicting pain and suffering on animals!
If you are in any doubt as to how cruel fishing is, please visit these websites
http://www.myspace.com/macmillankillsanimalshttp://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/vegetarianism/ALL/648/http://www.fishinghurts.com/FishFeelPain.asp