SEATTLE -
Will Seattle's famous fishmongers be forced to throw rubber fish? After complaints from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a national veterinary association may ask the guys to toss fake fish instead of the real thing.
The American Veterinary Medical Association will hold their convention in Seattle from July 11-14th. The group invited workers from the market to lead a "team-building" event that would include audience participation. But PETA disagrees with the demonstration. In a letter to convention organizers Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said "the AVMA should be siding with animals, not with animal abusers." PETA spokesperson David Shirk said "it seems to promote animal cruelty."
Down at Pike Place Fish Market a crowd was gathered Tuesday to watch the "fishmongers" in action. Taho Kakutani tells Q13 Fox News the crew takes a lot of pride in their work. "Those people representing PETA are doing something that means something to them, it fulfills their life and gives them purpose and we feel the same way about what we do here" Kakutani said. The Fishmongers said they haven't ruled out the possibility of tossing rubber fish but said their presentation doesn't really focus on that. They try to talk with groups about taking pride in their work and making a difference for others.
Many visitors gathered at Pike Place Fish Market did not agree with PETA's objections. Abe Payne came from Moses Lake to enjoy the show and said "I think it's nonsense, I don't see any problem with it... They're animals they're meant to be eaten." Beth Crocker used to be a member of PETA but dropped out because the organization became "too extreme". Crocker bought Halibut at the market and said "they probably know more about them (fish) than most of the PETA members."
Ron DeHaven, chief executive of the American Veterinary Medical Association, based in Schaumburg, Ill., said his organization thought having one of Seattle's top tourist attractions - the fish-throwers at the Pike Place Fish Market - come to the event would be a great "team-building experience." But after PETA raised concerns about the ethics of using dead fish as props at a veterinary event, DeHaven said the AVMA would explore other options, including an alternative PETA suggested: using rubber fish. If there is criticism that we're being disrespectful, we need to be sensitive to those concerns," DeHaven said.
Here is a copy of the letter sent by PETA representatives to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
Dr. James O. Cook President American Veterinary Medical Association
Dear Dr. Cook: Do not underestimate how many of our more than 2 million members and supporters use a veterinarian. Indeed, some of them are veterinarians. We are sorry to hear that you have not canceled your plan to have representatives from Pike Place Fish Market throw dead fish around with conference participants during the upcoming AVMA Convention. You should know that people who care about animals are appalled that a veterinary organization, whose purpose is to represent the interests of those whose jobs involve protecting the well-being of animals, would promote an event in which animals are treated so disrespectfully and are handled as if they were toys.
As we wrote earlier, there is more than enough scientific evidence to prove that fish feel pain and that they do not die well at the hands of the fishing industry. As inconvenient as it might be to face these facts, a recent edition of the journal Fish and Fisheries cited more than 500 research papers on fish intelligence proving that fish are smart, can use tools, and have impressive long-term memories and sophisticated social structures. Dr. Donald Broom, scientific advisor to the British government, has said, "The scientific literature is quite clear. Anatomically, physiologically, and biologically, the pain system in fish is virtually the same as in birds and mammals."
When the fish used in these "tosses" are pulled up from the depths of the ocean, they undergo the excruciating pain of decompression. The intense pressure often ruptures their swim bladders and damages other internal organs. Then the fish slowly suffocate or are bludgeoned to death. Others are still alive when they are cut open. The fish toss celebrates cruelty to marine animals.
Surely the AVMA would not describe an event as "fun, educational and inspiring" if the animals being tossed around were lambs, hamsters, or cats. We urge you to cancel this event-but, if you are hellbent on tossing fish, PETA will gladly pay for rubber fish to replace the real ones.
Sincerely, Sarah King Director
The American Veterinary Medical Association will hold their convention in Seattle from July 11-14th. The group invited workers from the market to lead a "team-building" event that would include audience participation. But PETA disagrees with the demonstration. In a letter to convention organizers Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said "the AVMA should be siding with animals, not with animal abusers." PETA spokesperson David Shirk said "it seems to promote animal cruelty."
Down at Pike Place Fish Market a crowd was gathered Tuesday to watch the "fishmongers" in action. Taho Kakutani tells Q13 Fox News the crew takes a lot of pride in their work. "Those people representing PETA are doing something that means something to them, it fulfills their life and gives them purpose and we feel the same way about what we do here" Kakutani said. The Fishmongers said they haven't ruled out the possibility of tossing rubber fish but said their presentation doesn't really focus on that. They try to talk with groups about taking pride in their work and making a difference for others.
Many visitors gathered at Pike Place Fish Market did not agree with PETA's objections. Abe Payne came from Moses Lake to enjoy the show and said "I think it's nonsense, I don't see any problem with it... They're animals they're meant to be eaten." Beth Crocker used to be a member of PETA but dropped out because the organization became "too extreme". Crocker bought Halibut at the market and said "they probably know more about them (fish) than most of the PETA members."
Ron DeHaven, chief executive of the American Veterinary Medical Association, based in Schaumburg, Ill., said his organization thought having one of Seattle's top tourist attractions - the fish-throwers at the Pike Place Fish Market - come to the event would be a great "team-building experience." But after PETA raised concerns about the ethics of using dead fish as props at a veterinary event, DeHaven said the AVMA would explore other options, including an alternative PETA suggested: using rubber fish. If there is criticism that we're being disrespectful, we need to be sensitive to those concerns," DeHaven said.
Here is a copy of the letter sent by PETA representatives to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
Dr. James O. Cook President American Veterinary Medical Association
Dear Dr. Cook: Do not underestimate how many of our more than 2 million members and supporters use a veterinarian. Indeed, some of them are veterinarians. We are sorry to hear that you have not canceled your plan to have representatives from Pike Place Fish Market throw dead fish around with conference participants during the upcoming AVMA Convention. You should know that people who care about animals are appalled that a veterinary organization, whose purpose is to represent the interests of those whose jobs involve protecting the well-being of animals, would promote an event in which animals are treated so disrespectfully and are handled as if they were toys.
As we wrote earlier, there is more than enough scientific evidence to prove that fish feel pain and that they do not die well at the hands of the fishing industry. As inconvenient as it might be to face these facts, a recent edition of the journal Fish and Fisheries cited more than 500 research papers on fish intelligence proving that fish are smart, can use tools, and have impressive long-term memories and sophisticated social structures. Dr. Donald Broom, scientific advisor to the British government, has said, "The scientific literature is quite clear. Anatomically, physiologically, and biologically, the pain system in fish is virtually the same as in birds and mammals."
When the fish used in these "tosses" are pulled up from the depths of the ocean, they undergo the excruciating pain of decompression. The intense pressure often ruptures their swim bladders and damages other internal organs. Then the fish slowly suffocate or are bludgeoned to death. Others are still alive when they are cut open. The fish toss celebrates cruelty to marine animals.
Surely the AVMA would not describe an event as "fun, educational and inspiring" if the animals being tossed around were lambs, hamsters, or cats. We urge you to cancel this event-but, if you are hellbent on tossing fish, PETA will gladly pay for rubber fish to replace the real ones.
Sincerely, Sarah King Director
