For a while I have been making the point that we tend to regard fish as inanimate objects to be scooped out of the oceans in vast numbers, fried and eaten. An unending source of nutrition for the dominant species on the planet. But each of these fish has – I would argue – felt pain and distress.
An estimated 70 to 90 billion individual fish are taken from the oceans each year for human consumption. This translates to roughly 80 to 100 million metric tons of wild-caught fish annually.
This number excludes farmed fish (aquaculture), which adds another 50 to 100 million metric tons per year.
That is an awful lot of distress. We don’t think of it that way. We just don’t think about it. It seems totally okay to kill 90,000,000,000 fish annually. Is it? The wider issue is that fish ‘stocks’ (another term indicating inanimacy) are running out anyway. You’ll find that some species are heavily overfished and becoming extinct in the wild. Our appetite is never ending.
More: sentience
Fish Are Sentient Creatures
For centuries, humans have viewed fish as primitive, emotionless beings, existing purely by instinct. However, modern science is challenging this outdated perception. Research increasingly suggests that fish are sentient creatures, capable of experiencing pain, emotions, and even social intelligence. This understanding has profound ethical and environmental implications, requiring a shift in how we treat fish in fishing, farming, and conservation efforts.
The Science of Fish Sentience
Sentience refers to the ability to experience sensations, emotions, and awareness. While mammals and birds are widely recognized as sentient, fish have historically been excluded. However, numerous studies suggest otherwise. Fish possess complex nervous systems and pain receptors (nociceptors), enabling them to detect harmful stimuli. Their brains process pain signals similarly to mammals, leading to stress responses such as avoiding harmful situations or displaying signs of distress.
For example, a 2003 study by Dr. Lynne Sneddon demonstrated that fish injected with painful substances showed clear signs of suffering, such as rubbing affected areas against objects. Additionally, pain relief drugs reduced these behaviors, further supporting the idea that fish do not just react reflexively but actually experience discomfort.
Emotional and Social Intelligence
Beyond physical pain, fish exhibit emotions and social intelligence. Some species form complex relationships, cooperate in groups, and even recognize individual humans. Studies on cleaner fish, for instance, show they can remember past interactions with specific clients (larger fish they clean), choosing to cooperate more with those that treated them well.
Furthermore, fish like cichlids and salmon demonstrate problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate mazes, proving cognitive flexibility. In a groundbreaking study, archerfish were shown to recognize human faces, a trait once thought to be exclusive to more advanced vertebrates like birds and primates.
Some fish even display signs of curiosity and playfulness, suggesting they engage with their environment in ways beyond mere survival. Manta rays, for example, have been observed twirling through the water, seemingly for fun. If mammals and birds show play as an indication of sentience, why should fish be any different?
Ethical Implications
The recognition of fish as sentient beings raises serious ethical concerns about how they are treated. Each year, around 90 billion fish are taken from the oceans for consumption, many suffering slow, painful deaths from suffocation or gutting while still alive. In aquaculture, overcrowded and stressful conditions cause fish to experience chronic suffering.
If society acknowledges fish as sentient, humane treatment should follow. This means promoting sustainable fishing practices, improving welfare in fish farms, and reconsidering cruel fishing methods. Some countries, including Switzerland and Norway, have already introduced laws recognizing fish welfare. However, global awareness remains limited.
Conclusion
The idea that fish are unintelligent, emotionless creatures is outdated. Scientific evidence proves they feel pain, experience emotions, and possess cognitive abilities once thought exclusive to higher animals. Recognizing fish sentience is not just a scientific revelation—it is a moral imperative. Humans must rethink how they interact with fish, ensuring that these fascinating creatures are treated with the respect and consideration they deserve.
