Hello 👋,
I love going to the beach. However, as an animal rights person, there is one downside; encountering fishers.
Fish do feel pain. There is scientific evidence of this. However, some people still think it's okay to lure them using "bait" and drive hooks through their mouths and pull them up out of their breathing zone only to then either handle them, weigh them and have photos taken smiling and then put them back or kill them/allow them to suffocate and then eat them. Some people think catch-and-release fishing is okay, but it still hurts the fish. Their swim bladder expands as they're pulled out of the water, and many fish die after being caught and released anyway.
You may think "So what? There's plenty more fish in the sea!" However, this doesn't change the facts that fish still feel pain fish still get hurt and die by fishing. Also, there aren't that many more fish in the sea. Globally, fish populations are still declining due to plastic pollution and overfishing. You may think that recreational fishing isn't the problem, but it likely isn't helping...
Sussex, a county in the UK, recently banned recreational fishing in order to try to curb the problem of declining fish populations. Why can't other counties follow suit?
Yes, fishing is enjoyed by many, gets people outdoors and creates memories, but there are many other cruelty-free hobbies that do that, too. Why not try birdwatching, wildlife photography, art, walking, hiking, camping, glamping, boating, kayaking, water-skiing, speedboating, sports, going on trips, going on family outings, running, cycling and/or orienteering instead?
Please outlaw recreational fishing in Devon and all other parts of the UK.
Thank you 😊.
Best Wishes to all,
Rory.
Have the best day and night ever!
