Don't eat fish, PETA urges

The Fish Empathy Project stopped in Salt Lake City on Saturday to discourage Utahns from eating fish.

Consumers should remember fish are not only "highly intelligent animals," but they are loaded with cancer-causing chemicals, according to the touring program sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"We are asking people to combine the fact that fish are intelligent animals with the fact that eating fish can cause brain damage," said Karin Robertson, manager of the national project. "Fish can feel pain just like the dogs and cats we share homes with."

Accompanied by a giant blue fish mascot, Robertson handed out fish information sheets and vegetarian starter kits on Market Street in an effort to inform people that fish isn't the health food they might think it is.

Fish absorb toxic chemicals like mercury, PCB and lead from the polluted water they live in, Robertson said. When people consume fish, these chemicals create a risk for brain damage.

"It's an epidemic," Robertson said. "Many people are eating fish because they think it is healthy for them, when there is really nothing more toxic to ingest."

By incorporating scientific studies in their campaign, PETA members hope to show that in addition to damaging a person's health, fish have impressive long-term memories and the capability of learning faster than dogs.

The PETA project also advocates that eating fish promotes cruelty to animals.

"Fish may not be as cuddly as cats or dogs, but they have the same capacity for suffering," said Ludvig Lindstrom, a member of the national campaign.

When people understand fish are intelligent animals and combine that with the health concerns associated with fish, they are horrified, Robertson said.

According to the project, about 18 billion fish are killed for U.S. dinner tables each year. PETA members hope their national project will encourage a decline in that number.

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