‘Fish Can Feel. Can’t You?’ Challenge Banner to Fly Over Fishing Tournament

There’s Nothing Sporting About Abusing Animals, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
July 31, 2020

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

On Monday, PETA will kick off the first day of the 47^th annual White Marlin Open fishing tournament by flying a banner over Ocean City beaches that proclaims, “Fish Can Feel. Can’t You? Leave ‘Em in Peace.”

When:    Monday, August 3, 12 noon–2 p.m.

Where:    The plane will fly over the Ocean City coastline, from the Ocean City Municipal Airport to 146^th Street

“Fish are sensitive individuals who feel pain and fear, just as all animals do, yet they’re hooked by their mouths, yanked from their aquatic homes, and left to suffocate slowly,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA’s banner will encourage people to think twice about fishing—a violent, harmful blood sport—and to stop tormenting animals for ‘fun.’”

Fish have unique personalities, can recognize human faces, and can retain memories and think ahead. Numerous studies have confirmed that they can feel pain. Their sensitive mouths are full of nerve endings, and those who are released after they’ve been hooked often die from their injuries and the loss of their protective scale coating, which can come off when people handle them. In addition, discarded fishing tackle injures birds, turtles, and other wildlife.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. The group offers free vegan starter kits and encourages everyone to try fish-free seafood such as Gardein’s delicious Golden Fishless Filets.

Photos of the banner in action will be available upon request on Monday. For more information, please visit PETA.org.