PETA protests Fish Throwing in Seattle's Pike Place Market

aNiMaLaNiMaL Posts: 7,117
edited June 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
http://www.thenewstribune.com/updates/story/777197.html

Fish toss a go for veterinarians visiting Seattle
The Associated Press
Published: 06/13/09 8:17 am | Updated: 06/13/09 9:13 am

SEATTLE --

Despite complaints from an animal-rights group, a national veterinary association says Seattle's famed fishmongers will be tossing dead fish at its Seattle convention next month.

American Veterinary Medical Association CEO Ron DeHaven said Friday his organization, based in Schaumburg, Ill., will proceed with a plan to host a team-building program offered by the famous fish-throwers of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market.

After People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised concerns about the ethics of using dead fish as props at a veterinary event, DeHaven said the AVMA would explore other options for its July 11-14 annual convention.

DeHaven said in a telephone interview that his group supports the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as food - and feels veterinarians are the best advocates for animals.

"We're talking about three fish," he said. "The tossing is simply used to facilitate bigger purposes" such as motivation and team-building, which are valuable for veterinarians.

The fish are dead and are consumed after the program. DeHaven said his organization thinks human consumption is an appropriate use of fish.

PETA spokeswoman Lindsay Rajt ("Right") responded that fish feel pain and fear when they're caught. She called the "corpse toss" morally no different than tossing dead kittens.

She promised her group would be on hand to protest "this hideous stunt."

"These fish suffer horribly when they're caught and killed for human consumption," Rajt said.

On June 9, PETA sent a letter urging the AVMA to cancel the planned event, and suggesting the substitution of rubber fish, which PETA offered to pay for.

"When the fish used in these 'tosses' are pulled up from the depths of the ocean, they undergo the excruciating pain of decompression," the letter said. "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."

The sellers at the Pike Place Fish Market draw crowds when they sell a fish - typically a large salmon or steelhead - and heave it across a counter, where a fishwrapper catches and packages it. An assistant manager there, Justin Hall, said workers sometimes give demonstrations to groups to share their enthusiasm for their work.

"We respect fish. We respect seafood. This gives us our livelihood," he said. "We take pride in having the best."
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • aNiMaLaNiMaL Posts: 7,117
    Seriously, PETA needs to find more important things to protest than throwing of dead fish that will be consumed as food.
  • Kilgore_TroutKilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    fuck peta... this countrys got bigger fish to fry (pun intended)
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    they've done a lot for animals in the past


    but whining about a dead fish being tossed around may be taking it too far.
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    PETA means well, but they usually take things waaaaaaaaaay too far!
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    I love the fish throwing!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    aNiMaL wrote:
    Seriously, PETA needs to find more important things to protest than throwing of dead fish that will be consumed as food.

    They choose these sort of protests knowing full well that they are being ridiculous. They don't *really* care about dead fish. They just like the attention and publicity they get for going so far out on a limb.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • aNiMaL wrote:
    Seriously, PETA needs to find more important things to protest than throwing of dead fish that will be consumed as food.


    Yep pretty much
    {if (work != 0) {
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    }system("pause");
    return 0;}
  • aNiMaL wrote:
    Seriously, PETA needs to find more important things to protest than throwing of dead fish that will be consumed as food.

    They choose these sort of protests knowing full well that they are being ridiculous. They don't *really* care about dead fish. They just like the attention and publicity they get for going so far out on a limb.


    and that is why they are a joke organization.
    {if (work != 0) {
    work = work + 1;
    sleep = sleep - work * 10;}
    else if (work >= 0) {
    reality.equals(false);
    work = work +1;
    }system("pause");
    return 0;}
  • DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    Fish throwing is boring. They should do dwarf tossing. I know that would make me buy more fish.
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


  • ThunderclapThunderclap Lexington, KY Posts: 108
    "PETA can fucking blow me."
    Neko Case

    Reason # 2,395 why I love that woman
    TEACHER SEEKS PUPIL
    Must have an earnest desire to save the world
    Apply in person
  • Kilgore_TroutKilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    "PETA can fucking blow me."
    Neko Case

    Reason # 2,395 why I love that woman
    ah... i love a good looking red head... especially one that can sing like her

    ill change her mind about marriage :D
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
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