The March 2011 edition of Welfare Pulse, a journal published three times a year by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), included an article about the fishcount report Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild caught fish.

If fish could scream

An article by Peter Singer, entitled If fish could scream, discusses animal suffering in commercial fishing and was published on the Project Syndicate website on 13 Sep 2010. Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and laureate professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE), University of Melbourne. The article is available in several languages:

    English:  If fish could scream
    Spanish: Si los peces pudieran gritar
    Russian: Если бы рыба могла кричать
    French:   Si les poissons pouvaient hurler
    German: Wenn Fische schreien könnten
    Czech:   Kdyby ryby mohly křičet
    Chinese: 如果鱼能惨叫的话……
    Arabic:   لو كان بوسع الأسماك أن تصرخ…

Fish: the forgotten victims on our plate

This article was reproduced in various national newspapers including The Guardian, a leading UK newspaper, on 14 Sep 2010:
Fish: the forgotten victims on our plate

Humane seafood call

An article, entitled Humane Seafood Call, was published in the Sydney Morning Herald, a leading Australian newspaper, on 3 Sep 2010. This article discusses the need for animal welfare certification and labelling for commercially-caught fish.

A very important development was the holding of a Symposium on Fish Welfare and Fisheries, hosted by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles at a fisheries conference in Japan, 2008. The following papers on fish welfare in commercial fisheries, from this symposium, were published in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of Fish Biology.

Introduction to papers on fish welfare in commercial fisheries
M. J. Kaiser and F. A. Huntingford

Welfare in wild-capture marine fisheries
J. D. Metcalfe

Taking account of fish welfare: lessons from aquaculture
F. A. Huntingford and S. Kadri

Balancing the needs and preferences of humans against concerns for fishes: how to handle the emerging ethical discussions regarding capture fisheries?
P. Sandøe, C. Gamborg, S. Kadri, K. Millar

The ethics of fish welfare
J. C. Evans

1. The first detailed report to argue for fish welfare in commercial fishing (as far as we are aware)
2. Includes the first systematic estimate of the number of fish caught.

Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish (summary report) 1,480 KB

Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish:

executive summary ( 53 KB)
6 pages.

summary report ( 1,480 KB) 49 pages. Standard resolution.

full report ( 4,440 KB) 141 pages. August 2010. Standard resolution.

See estimate of fish numbers for summary info. on our estimate of fish numbers. For more detail download paper:

estimating the number of fish caught in global fishing each year ( 109 KB) 18 pages. July 2010.

Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish (full report) 4,440 KB

See publications for a full list of our publications. Low and high resolution versions of this report are available there and some chapters may be downloaded individually.

See updates email list to receive details of future publications.

Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus).
An estimated 3 to 9 million individuals of this species are caught each year.
Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce.

As part of the project of writing the report Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish (full report) the author attempted to estimate the number of fish caught using FAO fish capture tonnages and mean weights estimated from available fish size data.

Using estimated mean weights for fish species based on fish size data obtained from a range of sources (mainly internet), it was estimated that 0.97-2.7 trillion wild fish are caught globally each year. Recognising the limitations of the fish-size data available, it is concluded that the number of fish caught is of the order of a trillion. This estimate does not include unrecorded fish capture, such as fish caught illegally and those caught as bycatch and discarded.

The method used in this estimate is briefly outlined below. For full details see estimating the number of fish caught in global fishing each year. Results and supporting data are available from the study overview. The study is also described in chapter 19 of Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish (full report) and the key results given in Appendix A.

Study to estimate numbers of fish caught

Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) hiding in the rocks.
The average annual capture tonnage for this species is 33,000 tonnes. With an estimated average weight of 15 pounds, or 6800 g, an estimated 5 million such animals are caught each year.
Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce.

There are three main parts to this estimate:
(1) fish for which the FAO reports capture tonnages in single species categories, e.g. Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombus), and for which a mean weight was estimated from available fish size data
(2) fish for which the FAO reports capture tonnages in multi-species categories, e.g. Anchovies, etc. nei (Engraulidae), and for which mean weights were estimated for the largest and smallest relevant species in each category
(3) fish for which the FAO reports capture tonnages in totally general categories, e.g. marine fishes nei, together with categories for which the species are given but for which a mean weight could not be estimated.

The first part comprises the single species categories for which it was possible to estimate a mean weight, and so estimate fish numbers. Where possible, estimated mean weights were obtained from average weight data but, where these were not available, various other types of data were used, including typical weights/lengths or weight/length ranges.

The second part comprises the multi-species categories for which fish size data were available. To estimate the mean weight for a multi-species category, the mean weight was estimated for the smallest and largest relevant species in the group and combined as a range. Relevant species were considered to be those in the species group that are both (according to fishbase.org) :

• fished commercially or for subsistence
• distributed in the region from which more than 20% of capture was taken.

The third part comprises the species categories for which no estimated mean weight was obtained. The numbers of fish represented by these tonnages were estimated by extrapolating mean weight data from species for which a mean weight had been estimated. Wherever possible, this was based on extrapolated mean weight data for the same taxonomic class of fish species.

Fishcount presentation:

Fishcount presentation

 
In this presentation we make the case that fish suffer hugely in commercial fishing and that they need our protection, not just as resources or endangered species, but as sentient beings.

The presentation contains links to short film clips on YouTube.

     The welfare of fish in commercial fishing( 2,640 KB) 71 slides.
            low resolution version (847 KB)

Study to estimate numbers of farmed fish:

      Estimating the number of fish killed in global aquaculture each year ( 540 KB)
      40 pages. July 2012.

 
Fishcount report:

New report

Worse things happen at sea: the welfare of wild-caught fish:

Executive summary  ( 53 KB) 6 pages.

Summary report  ( 1,480 KB) 49 pages.
      low resolution version (550 KB)
      high resolution version (3,470 KB)

Full report  ( 4,440 KB) 141 pages. August 2010.
      low resolution version (1,610 KB)
      high resolution version (11,680 KB)

      The following chapters of the full report may be downloaded individually:
      Chapter 3 (“fish are sentient beings”) (365 KB) 10 pages.
            low resolution version (146 KB)
            high resolution version (976 KB)
      Chapter 19 (“How many fish are caught each year?”) (44 KB) 3 pages.
      Appendix A (table showing estimated numbers of fish caught) ( 216 KB)
      15 pages.

Study to estimate numbers of fish caught:

      Estimating the number of fish caught in global fishing each year ( 109 KB)
      18 pages. July 2010.

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy:

      Towards humane and sustainable fisheries – general response
      12 pages. Dec 2009. fishcount.org.uk general response to the Green Paper on
      reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy

      Towards humane and sustainable fisheries – response to questions
      11 pages. Dec 2009. fishcount.org.uk response to questions set out in the
      Green Paper on reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

Future publications:

      See updates email list to receive details of future publications.

Pages

• Reports from the UFAW and HSA symposia, July 2011
  • link to developing humane models of fishing
    
• Reducing suffering in fisheries
  • summary
  • introduction
  • fish are sentient
    • fish feel pain
    • fish feel fear
    • implications of sentience
  • what is animal welfare?
  • humane slaughter
  • during capture
    • trawling
    • purse seining
    • gillnetting
    • rod and line fishing
    • trolling
    • pole-and-line fishing
    • long line fishing
    • trapping
    • avoiding live fish as bait
  • estimate of fish numbers
    • link to Study to estimate the global annual numbers of fish caught
    • link to detailed description of study to estimate fish numbers
    • link to table of estimated fish numbers
    • link to table of estimated fish numbers by estimating method
    • link to table of estimated fish numbers caught for fishmeal
• reducing numbers
  • link to table of estimated fish numbers caught for fishmeal
• quality benefits
• key stakeholder roles
• strategies
• developing humane models of fishing

Related links

• Scientific papers
• books
• Fish welfare in human culture
• Fishcount in the news
• fair-fish

Human beings have long been concerned with the welfare of animals and this concern is growing. Animal welfare is about the well being of animals as individuals. It is about ensuring animals have a good quality of life and are not treated in ways that cause suffering. It means accepting that we have a duty of care to the animals we use.

In addition to commercial, subsistence and sport fishing, fish species are used in fish farming, in scientific research, in aquariums for public display and as pets. What is our duty of care towards them?

In attempting to define and conceptualise animal welfare, three basic approaches have emerged:

• Is the biology of the animal normal?
• Is the animal in a good mental state?
• Is the animal living a natural life?

Of these, a good mental state is the most important. It is, however, the most difficult to assess and cannot be measured directly.

The first approach is based on the normal biological functioning of the animal. According to Broom,

In fish farming, for example, some fish may tolerate poor water quality conditions for a short period but when the conditions become too challenging or prolonged they cannot maintain homeostasis. They have difficulty coping and experience stress. Chronic stress reduces biological fitness and can, for example, impair the immune system.

The second approach is based on what the animal actually feels. This approach seeks to promote good feelings and avoid pain and suffering. This approach is the one most relevant for improving welfare in fishing.

The third approach calls for animals to be farmed, or kept, in ways that allow them to perform their full repertoire of natural behaviours. Webster sums up these different approaches by saying good welfare means an animal is “fit and happy”. In other words, is in both a good physical and mental state.

Welfare is often expressed in terms of the Five Freedoms which are:

1. Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
4. Freedom to express natural behaviour
5. Freedom from fear and distress

Freedom from pain, fear and distress require animals to be killed in a way that is humane. The humane slaughter association defines humane slaughter for fish as follows:

why should we protect wild fish?

This website focuses on the welfare of wild-caught fish in commercial fishing. There are many reasons why wild fish should be protected. “Animal welfare”, “animal rights” and “conservation” are different philosophical viewpoints that argue for this. These viewpoints are not mutually exclusive and one can support some or all three outlooks.

conservation

The conservation view also believes in protecting animals but is more concerned with the species as a whole, than with individual animals. This view believes that marine wildlife, including fish, should be protected from overfishing and destructive fishing methods. Fish, and the natural marine environment, need to be conserved for the benefit of future generations.

animal welfare

The animal welfare view believes that sentient animals, including fish, should be protected from inhumane treatment.

Killing animals for food is not normally considered to be an animal welfare problem so long as the killing is done humanely. However, the killing of very young animals is sometimes criticised on the grounds that the animals have not yet had a good life to justify killing them.

In fishing, it may not be possible to catch fish in a genuinely humane way. Good welfare may, therefore, not be achievable for wild-caught fish. The animal welfare view requires that, while fishing continues, the suffering caused should be minimised.

animal rights

The animal rights view takes animal protection further in that it believes animals have a right to life. The killing of animals for food, including fishing, is therefore not generally acceptable to the animal rights viewpoint.

Commercial fishing is a major animal welfare issue. The suffering caused to a wild-caught fish is likely to be high, both in severity and duration. The number of animals affected is also very high. It is estimated that in the order of a trillion fish are caught each year.

The sentience of fish has huge ethical implications for the way they are caught and killed in fisheries.
Credit: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP); University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

There is increasing acceptance that fish are able to feel fear, pain and distress. The methods by which wild fish are caught and die are likely to cause considerable suffering.

The greatest suffering caused may be that experienced by small fish used as “live bait”. These fish are thrown live to tuna, or worse still, impaled on hooks. This practice is common in long line fishing. Live fish should not be used as bait. Other modifications to fishing practice can also help reduce the stress and injury caused to fish during capture. Such measures can help improve the survival chances of released bycatch too. Suffering could be substantially reduced by shorter time intervals between setting and retrieving nets and lines (shorter capture durations).

Most commercially-caught wild fish, that are alive when landed, die either from being left to suffocate in air, or by a combination of suffocation and live dissection. Fish treated in this way may take several hours to lose consciousness. Sometimes fish are put onto ice as they suffocate, or into iced water which may both increase and prolong their suffering.

There are two traditional methods for killing fish that have the potential to be humane, namely percussive stunning and spiking. These methods kill fish individually, and so may not be practical for larger fishing operations with large numbers of smaller fish. For these cases, humane slaughter technology used on fish farms needs to be adapted for use on fishing vessels. More humane capture and killing are likely to result in improved eating quality.

Suffering could be reduced by strategies to catch fewer fish. This could be achieved by fishing at more sustainable levels; reducing bycatch and reducing the numbers of fish caught to make fishmeal. A substantial proportion of fish caught are caught to feed to farm animals. Catching fewer fish, and catching them at a larger size, reduces the suffering for the same amount of food.

Various stakeholders (animal welfare scientists, animal protection NGO’s, environmental NGO’s, government and inter-government bodies, supermarkets and retailers, animal welfare certification schemes) have worked to address the welfare of farmed fish. A similar approach is needed to address the welfare of wild-caught fish.

A big-eye tuna caught on a long line.
In long line fishing, fish may remain captured for many hours, or even days.
Credit: © Greenpeace / Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert

Animal welfare impact on captured fish

Long line fishing, or long lining, is a commercial fishing method that uses hundreds, or even thousands, of baited hooks hanging from a single line which may be 50-100 km long. Unlike the other hook and line fishing methods discussed, the duration of capture for long line fishing is very long. Fish caught on long lines are landed hours, or days, later when the gear is hauled up.

Hooking is stressful to fish (see rod and line fishing) and can lead to severe exhaustion. It can also result in severe injury (see trolling). As with all forms of hook and line fishing, sometimes fish are gaffed (i.e. impaled on a hook) to bring them abroad.

In this method of fishing, it is common for live fish to be used as bait. A semi-automatic machine impales the live fish on hooks as the line is played out. The use of live bait hugely adds to the suffering caused in this fishing method, as do long capture periods. One hooked, the fish may themselves be subsequently attacked by predators and may be dead when landed.

Environmental impact

Long lines kill sea birds, sea turtles and sharks, as well as non target fish, which are attracted by the bait. Sea birds like albatross get hooked when the lines are near the surface. The birds are then dragged under water and drowned. Bird bycatch can be reduced by measures such as bird-scaring devices and weighting the lines to make them sink more quickly. US fishermen can avoid the migratory paths of sea turtles by sinking their long lines deeper.

Large numbers of bycatch fish are reportedly caught and thrown back dead. Long line fishing catches more sharks as bycatch than any other fishing method on the high seas.

As discussed for rod and line fishing, levels of hooking injury, and the survival chances of released bycatch fish, are affected by the type/size of the hook/bait and the method by which the hook is removed.

Measures to reduce suffering in long line fishing

The following measures, combined with humane slaughter immediately the fish is landed, would improve the welfare of fish caught in long line fishing:

Chumming with bait fish. Small bait fish, usually alive, are thrown overboard to create a feeding frenzy in a school of fish. Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Water is sprayed to prevent the tuna from noticing the activity on deck. Notice the gaff hook used to impale the caught tuna to bring them aboard. Credit: Courtesy of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

“Pole-and-line” fishing usually means a particular type of rod and line fishing in which fish are attracted to the surface with bait fish, in a process called “chumming”. After locating a school of fish, the fishers create a feeding frenzy by scattering bait fish such as anchovies and sardine, usually alive, over the side of the vessel. In this feeding frenzy, the fish snap at barbless hooks dangled in the water from the fishers’ rod and lines. When a fish becomes hooked, the fisher swings the rod bringing the fish flying onto the deck behind and disengaging it from the hook.

Chumming usually involves live bait fish. Occasionally minced bait, prepared from frozen sardines or similar fish in a hand mincer, is used in place of live bait. Normally bare hooks or jigs (artificial lures) are used on the lines, but hooks may be baited with live fish. The use of live bait fish in this way, and in chumming, hugely adds to the suffering caused in this fishing method.

Bigeye tuna caught by pole-and-line fishing. Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

The fish are landed quickly. Sometimes fish are gaffed (i.e. impaled on a hook) to bring them abroad and this is likely to cause considerable pain. Sometimes fish are impaled on gaff hooks to bring them aboard. Credit: Courtesy of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

While hooking is stressful to fish, from the point of view of the target fish (as opposed to the bait fish) this may be one of the relatively more humane methods of catching fish on account of the short duration of capture.

Environmental impact

Conservation groups consider pole-and-line fishing to have low levels of bycatch relative to other major fishing methods. Survival chances of released bycatch fish are considered to be high due to the use of barbless hooks and the quick release from them.

Measures to reduce suffering in pole-and-line fishing

The following measures, combined with humane slaughter immediately the fish is landed, would improve the welfare of fish caught in pole-and-line fishing: