This Surprising New Finding Will Make You Think Twice Before Putting Fish on Your Plate
Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:04:06 PDT
When we picture fish, it’s often in the context of our plates or aquarium tanks. But an Australian scientist wants us to consider the animals outside of mercury poisoning scares and pet stores. According to new research published in the journal Animal Cognition, fish socialize, use tools, develop long-term memories, enjoy back rubs, and can likely feel pain.
“When comparing their behavior to primates, one finds very few differences, with the exception, perhaps, of the ability of imitation,” fish biologist Culum Brown writes in the paper, titled “Fish Intelligence, Sentience and Ethics.” He reviewed almost 200 studies and concluded that the perception and intelligence of fish can can match that of other vertebrates.
Catfish, for instance, have been observed gluing their eggs to rocks and leaves that they lug around when their nests are threatened. The jawfish collects tiny rocks to put up a wall in front of its home.
Fish also work together in social circles to examine predators. During an inspection, a pair could swim back and forth, advancing toward the predator and taking turns to lead.
“If a partner should defect or cheat in any way, perhaps by hanging back,” Brown explains, “the other fish will refuse to cooperate with that individual on future encounters.”
He cites another study that found that cleaner wrasse, which eat dead skin and parasites off of other fish, can be picky about their “clients” judging by residence (local or just passing). Cleaners prioritize transients, knowing that neighbors will come by later anyway. If a cleaner accidentally bites a fish, the wrasse gives it a back rub, which lowers its stress levels.
So, if a fish feels pleasure, does it also sense pain? It’s debatable, and more research is needed before scientists can come to any conclusion that could impact the fishing industry. But Brown says fish have the hardware needed to feel discomfort, just like chickens bred for food.
Though he’s not asking everyone to stop eating fish, Brown insists that their welfare should be considered, just as we do that of farm animals.
“If you catch and kill an animal, you catch it as quickly as possible with a minimum amount of fuss, and you kill it, dispatch it as fast as you possibly can, with the minimum amount of suffering,” he told Popular Science.
Related stories on TakePart:
• Newest Climate Change Victim: Fish Are Being Stunted by Warmer Oceans
• Scientists Put Cameras on Sharks—and the View Is as Cool as It Sounds
• Not Good: These Fish Have Been Eating Toxic Plastic Trash in the Ocean
Original article from TakePart
