Do Fish Feel Pain? - Hardcover

Victoria Braithwaite

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199551200 ISBN 13: 9780199551200

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2010

Synopsis

While there has been increasing interest in recent years in the welfare of farm animals, fish are frequently thought to be different. In many people's perception, fish, with their lack of facial expressions or recognisable communication, are not seen to count when it comes to welfare. Angling is a major sport, and fishing a big industry. Millions of fish are caught on barbed hooks, or left to die by suffocation on the decks of fishing boats.

Here, biologist Victoria Braithwaite explores the question of fish pain and fish suffering, explaining what we now understand about fish behaviour, and examining the related ethical questions about how we should treat these animals. She asks why the question of pain in fish has not been raised earlier, indicating our prejudices and assumptions; and argues that the latest and growing scientific evidence would suggest that we should widen to fish the protection currently given to birds and mammals.

About this title

Review:

An accessible and compelling account...her book will make an important contribution to the debate. (Anne Magurran, Times Literary Supplement)

'Do Fish Feel Pain?' is a fascinating excursion through the recent studies of the surprisingly complex behaviour of fish. (Clive Wynne, Nature)

A timely, important and interesting book. (Sanjida O'Connell, New Scientist)

About the Author:

Victoria Braithwaite is Professor of Fisheries and Biology, School of Forest Resources, Pennsylvania State University. Her research investigates the evolution of animal cognition, focusing on fish learning, perception, and memory. She has advised the UK Government Animal Procedures Committee, has published numerous research articles, and written for the broadsheet media including the LA Times. In 2006 Professor Braithwaite was awarded the Fisheries Society of the British Isles Medal.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0199551200
• ISBN 13: 9780199551200
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208