Many people view fishing as a harmless activity. These people do not acknowledge that fish feel pain and distress and consequently ignore the inherent cruelty of fishing. It has been scientifically proven, however, that fish do feel pain, much like mammals and birds. According to RSPCA Australia, 'The available scientific evidence demonstrates that fish are sentient animals capable of experiencing pain and suffering.' So-called 'recreational' fishing involves inserting a hook into the face or throat of fish and often 'playing' them for some time before hauling them onto shore. In terms of feeling pain, the fish would suffer in much the same way as if a hook were inserted into the mouth of a dog or cat.

Now that we know that fish feel pain, there is no place for fishing in a civilised, moral society. For more information about this cruel activity see here.  

Dolphins and Whales

Whales are killed most notably by Japan and Norway. These countries kill approximately 2,500 whales every year. Before World War II, Norway, Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany were the largest whaling nations in the world.  In 1935 Japan even sent its ships to Antarctica. This was at a time when over 50,000 whales were being killed annually. In the 1980s the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling to allow whale numbers to recover.  For this reason Japan justifies its whale kills under the guise of “scientific research”.  Japan also claims it should be allowed to hunt whales due to “cultural tradition”. The Japanese are encouraged to eat whale meat, which has been integrated in school lunch programs, and made available at markets and in sushi restaurants.

Whaling is a cruel practice which involves shooting the animal with a harpoon. Whales often suffer up to an hour before they succumb to the harpoon. For further information visit www.seashepherd.org.

Unlike whales, dolphins do not have an international body (such as the IWC) to regulate the killing of these animals. As a result, 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and small whales are killed by Japan from September through to March. Fishermen will generally herd the dolphin families into shallow bays then stab and drown them to death. Such practices are inherently cruel and ethically wrong. For further information on the slaughter of dolphins visit www.seashepherd.org/dolphins/.

The Sea Shepherd has a chapter based in Canberra. For more information visit www.seashepherd.org/australia/canberra.html

The Canberra Sea Shepherd Chapter at the ACT's Living Green Festival, 2011

Sea Shepherd at the ACT Harvest Festival, 2012