LETTER: Addressing columnist’s question

To the editor:

Regarding Howard Delo's May 7th article, "Do fish feel pain," there is a plethora of scientific evidence that answers that question in the affirmative. Victoria Braithwaite, Professor of Fisheries and Biology at Pennsylvania State University, explained the very compelling evidence that fishes are sentient in her book, Do Fish Feel Pain? She states: “I have argued that there is as much evidence that fish feel pain and suffer as there is for birds and mammals — and more than there is for human neonates and preterm babies.” Since her book was published, in 2010, even more evidence has come to light, with the increasing scientific consensus that fishes do indeed feel pain - something that many people intuitively realize. See: http://fishfeel.org/fish-sentience/That some people are more sensitive to pain than others does not negate the point that we, as decent, moral people, should respect that they are sentient and, as such should not cause them needless harm. The same holds true for any other sentient beings, including fishes. All of the nutrients we need to thrive can be obtained more healthfully, humanely, and environmentally responsibly from plant sources. Needlessly harming animals for food or 'fun' or any other reason is animal abuse: plain, inhumane, and unjustifiable. Fishing isn't sport, the fish are victims not willing participants. It's not sport, it's animal abuse. Fish feel, and their lives matter.Mary FinelliPresident & Founder of Fish Feelhttp://www.FishFeel.org.

— Mary Finelli

Silver Spring, MD