Becoming Conscious About Fish Conscience
This article provides a close look at aquaculture from the perspective of animal welfare and the sentience of fish. New research attempts to determine what fish desire and to identify signs of fear and stress, but it raises important questions about how to measure emotions.
As global aquaculture expands, society needs to consider fish welfare in the process. Some steps have been made in this direction; for instance, in 1997 in the European Union, the Treaty of Amsterdam agreed that the concept of welfare is the same in fish as it is in mammals. Recently, the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) announced plans to harmonize standards in 172 member countries.
Scientists disagree as to the level of emotional response fish are capable of having. The measures of welfare that apply to other animals are relevant to fish, but specific protocols for fish welfare are unavailable. Additional research in the area is required, and more investment is needed. The abundance of fish varieties is also a complicating factor in researching fish welfare.
According to the European Commission’s Animal Health and Welfare panel, pain in vertebrates involves the perceived noxiousness of certain stimuli. Some scientists argue that fish lack a neocortex, which is a component of source of pain in humans. Reflex response to noxious stimulus can also be an indicator of pain and suffering.
In summary, “the context of welfare of farmed fish the physiological, biochemical and behavioral reactions of fish are considered to be part of the experience of pain, fear and distress – and whilst the extent to which feelings of pleasure exist in fish is unknown – the hormone oxytocin, associated with pleasure in humans and other mammals – occurs in fish. It could be argued that a level of awareness is a requisite to these emotions, but which emotional states they may experience is a mystery.”