110 Seals Were Shot This Year to Protect the Unethical Salmon Industry
Figures released this week reveal that 110 seals have been shot in Scotland this year by sharpshooters working for fish producers. Seals are supposed to be protected, but salmon farmers can get a special licence to shoot these beautiful marine mammals.
This news is sad – but not really surprising. After all, by its very nature, the fishing industry puts profit above animals’ lives.
The salmon confined to Britain’s fish farms often endure intense confinement, filthy conditions, mistreatment and high levels of disease and parasites, such as sea lice. Kept in underwater cages, they never have the chance to swim freely or exercise their natural instincts, such as the powerful urge to migrate upstream each year. And because fish aren’t covered by the Animal Welfare Act, there are no regulations to ensure they are killed humanely.
Fish feel pain just like humans do. In fact, recent research suggests they may be even more sensitive than we are, since their biology lacks the complex pain management systems of many mammals.
Now this seal massacre shows that the salmon industry’s cruelty extends to wildlife, too.
There is no justification for shooting beautiful animals to protect cruel and unnecessary fish farms. It’s our demand for cheap fish that’s fuelling the bloodshed. The damage that fish farming does to seals and the environment provides yet another argument against eating fish.
For the sake of salmon and seals, please leave fish off your plate!
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