The Ocean Is Under Attack – But Despite The Myth – Plastic Straws Aren’t The Biggest Offenders

If you’re a traveler who loves the aquatic world like me, you’ve probably asked yourself one or more of the following questions: Should I support the fishing industry? Should I post a picture of animal-based sushi, fish, octopus, and tuna to social media? Should I go fishing on my next backpacking trip?

I hope that after reading reading this article you’ll opt out of all of those activities. In the age of snapping photos to quickly distribute to the masses, I am sure that many of your timelines experience no lack of fishing photos circling in the summer months. From Instagram influencers indulging in fish dinners to parents taking their kids fishing for the first time, it seems as though all types of people proclaim to “love” fishing. But what is there to love about it? Fishing (and the use of fishing gear) is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to pollution in the ocean, and by far the biggest offender when it comes to actually harming aquatic life.

Dispelling Misconceptions Around Consuming Sealife And Human Health

To begin breaking down our exploitative and abusive relationship with fish (and other aquatic creatures for that matter) I want to clear one thing up: In most cultures, consuming fish and other aquatic animals is not necessary for survival. I’ve been vegan for almost 10 years as I’ve traveled the world and left sealife off of my plate. This blogpost was born as a response to the cruelty to fish and marine life that takes place daily and is exasperated by travelers.

Are Fish A Health Food?

People often mistake fish for a “health food”. Plant-Based News explains that “Toxic pollutants contaminate the world’s oceans. They include methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins, and many act as damaging neurotoxins. They can accumulate as you move up the food chain, especially in oily fish, cancelling out any supposed beneficial effects of omega-3s.”

They then go on to say that “Fish farms now provide more than half of all fish consumed by humans but are certainly not the answer. These overcrowded, unnatural pens transmit disease and cause water pollution; choking marine life with persistent organic pollutants, antibiotics, chemicals from parasitical treatments, anaesthetics, disinfectants, feed additives, metals and antifoulants.”

Is Eating Fish Ethical? Do Fish Feel Pain?

Despite what you were told as a kid on your first fishing trip, fish do feel pain. It’s been proven time and time again. “The scientific literature is quite clear. Anatomically, physiologically and biologically, the pain system in fish is virtually the same as in birds and mammals,” says Dr Donald Broom, a professor of Animal Welfare at Cambridge University.

Not only do they feel pain like other mammals, but fish are fast learners that have a keen sense of time. On top of that, they have long-term memories and can recognize other individuals, work cooperatively with other species, and keep track of complete social relationships. If you’ve ever truly spent time with fish in a peaceful manner (this does not include baiting and hooking them) you’ve probably noticed that they are inquisitive and personable. Unfortunately, fish has been presented as unintelligent and senseless animals. This misperception has been used for validation to entrap, torment, and kill them.

Including Fish In Our Circle Of Compassion

While intelligence and ability are no factors to form a decision of whether someone is deserving of life or not, fish and sea life often fall outside of our circle of compassion because we don’t understand them. If we took the time to observe and learn about them (instead of torturing them) we may think twice before harming them.

Free From Harm, a long-time advocate for the end to animal cruelty, states that “Far more fish are exploited than any other category of animals, and they are subjected to the worst abuses. Yet, they have the least legal protection and receive the least concern for their well-being, even from the animal protection community. Globally, an estimated one to three trillion wild-caught fishes and 37 – 120 billion farmed fishes are killed commercially for food each year. Hundreds of millions more are killed for ‘sport’ each year in the U.S. alone.”

How Travel Influencers Harm The Ocean & Sealife

As someone who is sensitive to animal cruelty yet active in the online travel space, I see so many travel bloggers and influencers showing off their grand “fish dinners” via social media as they traverse the globe. Many of these people are the same ones who claim to care about the ocean and the nonhuman animals who call it home. If that’s you, please educate yourself on what fish have to endure to make it to your plate. Here are 9 things that everyone should know about eating fish, and proof that they feel pain. (Being pescatarian, and not using that as a stepping stone to veganism, is not enough!)

Fishing Hurts Sharks, Whales, Dolphins And More

Outside of harming the sentient beings themselves, fishing is disastrous for the ocean and all who live there. If you think that plastic straws are a threat to the ocean, wait until you hear about the plastic pollution and damage done by fishing gear. While writing a post for Free From Harm on fish farming, I shared that globally,  63 billion pounds of marine animals are injured or killed as “bycatch.” It’s a term used to describe the staggering numbers of fishes, birds, seals, whales, sharks, crustaceans and other sea animals who are indiscriminately captured, maimed, snared, suffocated and more as “collateral damage” in ocean fishing equipment.

When it comes to pollution, ghost gear is estimated to make up 10% of ocean plastic pollution but forms the majority of large plastic trashing the ocean. A study found that as much as 70% (by weight) of macroplastics (in excess of 20cm) found floating on the surface of the ocean was fishing related.

What Can I Do Instead Of Fishing?

We’ve established that fish feel pain and that supporting the fishing industry is cruel to fish, kills other marine life, and pollutes the ocean on a gigantic scale. This is more than reason enough to leave fish and other sea life off of your plate and refrain from fishing!

There are endless ways to enjoy aquatic outdoor spaces without harming anyone. Instead of fishing, consider kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, doing a beach clean-up, or simply sitting by the water instead. You’ll receive all of the healing benefits of nature without being cruel to fish.

Are you ready to dive in and learn more? Check out this Unruly podcast episode with Mary Finelli, the founder of Fish Feel. Listen in to learn how to avoid harming fish and other aquatic beings when it comes to entertainment, water activities, and food choices. This episode also touches on slavery in the fishing industry, a topic that is not talked about enough. After listening come back and comment your thoughts below!

What About When I Travel? Should I Eat Fish Then?

Many travelers feel pressured to embrace traditional dishes as they travel the world. And while respecting different cultures is a great thing, it doesn’t mean that you have to participate in every part of the culture, especially if it goes against your moral values. Your can still respect and be curious about cultures that are new to you without eating eating animals or their secretions. If you’d like to read on about this topic, please check out the “culture” section in my article about sustainable travel and living as a vegan.

For those folks who think that enjoying food while traveling only comes from eating animal bodies and their secretions, I have news for you! It is easier than you think to navigate traditional menus as a vegan and find delicious options. Follow Wendy, the Nomadic Vegan who has gone to 100+ countries and eaten plant-based the whole time. If you’re wondering how she does it, tune in to our podcast episode here.