[unbitten]

haha, that's just a fun word to use.

Anyways, so I have this friend at work who is I guess flexitarian or pescetarian, whatever you want to call it. We're going to be hanging out so I can teach him to cook tofu and meat substitutes sometime soon, and I guess what I'm wondering is what can I tell him about the evils of the fish industry, or why besides the obvious reason that they are pain-feeling animals he shouldn't eat them. My husband is also at this stage, but not knowing much about this issue myself, I can hardly talk to him about it without him getting offended and thinking I'm being a "typical condescending vegan." I'm sure that these guys know that it's just as immoral to eat this kind of animal as any other, but help me think of cruelty/environmental/industry-related reasons. I don't want to sound "condescending" to them, I juse want them to know that based on their moral concerns with Big Meat, they ought to watch out for fish too, for the same reasons.

 

[isowish]

you might find something on http://fishinghurts.com/

I've never really looked at that website, I've just seen the url posted in similar threads to this. But I hope it helps!

 

[piratemoon]

There are a lot of issues regarding the fishing industry that are not just related to the pain caused to the animal, although this is a significant reason enough to give up fish. Just because it isn't as cute as a lamb doesn't mean it doesn't feel terror.

Anyhow, there are arguments (off the top of my head, this is) about over fishing, and the declining stocks of fish which no doubt will irrevocably change the marine eco-system. We are also dealing with issues of fish farming, and its environmental impact. Many practices involved in the fishing industry are severely damaging not just the fish stocks, but also the other animals, and activities such as bottom trawling seriously impact upon coral reefs.

If you want more info, then I will look some stuff up for you, just pm. Otherwise, google it, or check out this bookhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Eating-Peter-Singer/dp/0099504022/sr=8-1/qid=1165270068/ref=pd_ka_1/202-6435043-4232663?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[unbitten]

wow, thanks isowish. that fishing hurts website was full of all kinds of neat-o information. like i said, i already know too much about the meat industry at large, but the fishing industry, i'm more in the dark about. its good to stay informed.

 

[jack19]

It was a great one thanks for that..

 

[kayness]

I'm not sure if this merits a new thread or not, but I have a question regarding pescetarianism for quite a while now and have beeen dying to ask someone but I am not sure where/who:

Who on earth has started this idea of fish=not meat/vegetarian in the first place? and why fish? I could never understand it because I've always disliked seafood(and I absolutely despise shellfish/squids/clams/oysters), even before I decided to become veg

 

[isowish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayness

Who on earth has started this idea of fish=not meat/vegetarian in the first place? and why fish? I could never understand it because I've always disliked seafood(and I absolutely despise shellfish/squids/clams/oysters), even before I decided to become veg

I've heard the theory that it's in part due to the Catholic Church and how their meat-abstaining days still include eating fish.

 

[unbitten]

i think fish are "vegetarian" because of this whole bunk rumor about how fish cant feel any pain, and how their brains are so small and stupid that they only have 3 second memories. which is total crap, but most people dont care about it enough to do research and learn that the fish are smarter than their dog!

thats just a guess, though.

there's someone on here, i'm not sure who, who has a little tagline under their screenname that says "fish grow on trees?!" which makes me laugh so much. i'm going to say that next time someone asks me if i eat fish. its such a widespread but stupid assumption. like ok you dont eat meat, but do you eat fish? well, fish arent plants, are they?