Veganism is often a trending topic, mainly because people want to dissuade others from partaking in the physical and emotional harm done to animals when they eat meat. People see chickens, cows, ducks, horses, and other species and understand they have families, friendships, and consciousness. Sadly, so many fail to recognize an entire class of animals excluded from receiving the same consideration as their land-dwelling counterparts. 

Pescatarians, or people who don’t eat meat but will consume fish, comprise 3% of those who observe compassion-based diets. For some people, their lifestyle is an ethical choice to protest factory farms and animal agriculture. However, fish populations are subject to the same predatory breeding practices that exploit land animals. Fish farms specialize in producing a “tastier catch” in large volumes without regard for the animals’ holistic well-being. 

Culum Brown is a professor at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He published a review paper called “Fish intelligence, sentience and ethics” in the journal “Animal Cognition.” An excerpt of his work reveals what so few of us ever realized about aquatic animals: “A review of the evidence for pain perception strongly suggests that fish experience pain in a manner similar to the rest of the vertebrates. Although scientists cannot provide a definitive answer on the level of consciousness for any non-human vertebrate, the extensive evidence of fish behavioural and cognitive sophistication and pain perception suggests that best practice would be to lend fish the same level of protection as any other vertebrate.”

So why do people still eat aquatic animals? Many do so because fish are mostly in plentiful supply. Some think back to Bible stories that spotlight fish consumption as sanctified. For others, eating fish feels like a healthier choice since it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids. However, chia seeds, walnuts, and Brussels sprouts also have the same benefits. For the rest, fish are thought to be mindless and aimless, and therefore, not as worthy of protection. In recent years, films like “My Octopus Teacher” and “Blackfish” have refuted that theory, highlighting the intellect of cephalopods, orcas, and other sea life. Now people are learning to view these animals, and others of their ilk, more compassionately. 

Flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians have devoted a large portion of their advocacy, care, and diets to curbing the use of animals for sustenance. There’s no right or wrong answer regarding which observance is correct. It’s all a matter of preference. It is important to note that animals come from families. They feel pain, and there’s no question they experience joy and grief. Anything with a fight or flight response is conscious and therefore deserves to be respected. Being a pescatarian lowers many health issues from eating red meat and poultry, but it still takes animals away from their beloved communities. In addition, excessive fish consumption can lead to high levels of mercury, which is poisonous to humans. Being a vegan ensures no animals are harmed for human appetites and will always be a completely cruelty-free option.

Sources: Psychology Today, Medical News Today, Healthline