PETA Calls For UAB to Disband Club Fishing Because of "Dangerous Message It Sends to Students"

From the letter sent to UAB president Carol Z. Garrison.

"Fishing is a blood sport that causes immense physical and psychological suffering: Fish have particularly sensitive mouths and lips that they use in much the same way that we use our hands. Removing a hook often results in painful injuries to the animal, which can easily become infected. Studies show that fish who are caught and thrown back into the water (“catch-and-release” fishing) often die from their injuries. Those who are kept by anglers usually slowly suffocate to death. If cats or dogs were the victims of similar abuse, the perpetrators could be thrown in jail for cruelty to animals. A lack of understanding and knowledge about fish allows this cruelty to continue."

Here is my personal favorite line.

"The only lesson that fishing teaches students is that violence is acceptable when it is directed toward those who look different or are smaller and weaker than us."

PETA urges the university to promote “positive, cruelty-free club and intramural sports” such as “rock climbing, squash and flag football.” I don’t know. Squash can get pretty vicious.

There are valiant efforts to combat dog-fighting, the fur industry and legitimate incidences of animal cruelty. Dimwitted polemics like this devalue them.

[Manet – Les Travailleurs De La Mer via Houston Museum of Fine Arts]