Do fish feel pain???

[thekamikazekid]

Scientists seem to think that fish do not feel pain.  I think that that is BS!  What do you guys think?

[Litchfield Fisher]

I think it is to a point such as in the mouth but not completly

[eyedoktr]

I've never heard one scream when I drive a hook into their mouth.

[Steelie Slayer]

I dont think they do.... Try this out sometime, has to be in a pond or somewhere the fish isnt getting any pressure put on it unless you're applying the pressure from the rod....when ur fighting a fish, in still water, no current.  Notice how the fish only fights when you're realing it in, or have pressure applies to the fish.  Ok, so you're fightin the fish, when he is fightin like crazy give em some slack and release the pressure, he will stop fightin and go back to normal....  Fish react to pressure, which is why the fight when you're realing them in, and stop fightin and go back to normal swimming when you give them some slack.  IDK if its ever been proven or anything, thats just my experiences ive had.. Try it out sometime.

[NoGood]

Scientists seem to think that fish do not feel pain.  I think that that is BS!  What do you guys think?

Pain from the hook or hitting them on the head with a stick? 

[scooter22]

Well they sure seem to notice when your trying to pull a hook out of their mouth or throat.

[pooley]

no pain.

[Steelie Slayer]

or throat

  DUH, pretty sure im quite numb right now and cant feel much but.......... If you tried pulling a hook outta my stomach i might squiggle a little.....  And plus, when you're trying to remove a hook what are you applying to the fish?  PRESSURE.

[rgfixit]

An interesting question for sure. The concept of "feeling" pain has been seriously studied by many, and seriously exploited by those opposed to fishing.

It's true that fish secrete stress hormones in quantity when under duress, as do humans. This is a consideration. Over stressing a fish has harmful or fatal effects. This is, however, a physiological response to injury. A fine but clear delineation between human "feeling" and fish reaction.
 
"Feeling" denotes an emotional or psychological response to external stimuli and thus indicates individual awareness. Implying that a fish feels emotional suffering and distress from being hooked is ridiculous. Fish simply do not have any cognitive ability. Their brains are not designed for it.

It's a matter of thumbs. We have them.....fish don't.

RG
 

[CAPTJJ]

Well stated RG, I agree. To emote is to be human.

I have a hard time when people try to give animals the same "rights" as humans.

[rgfixit]

Animal "rights" are a whole other issue.

When they start paying taxes...they can have "rights".

RG

[vivlamored]

what is this? Save a fish hug a tree

[rgfixit]

The only fish I save are for the dinner table. Can't ever remember hugging a tree.

Ran into one a few years back...but that's another story.


RG

[hinkydo]

  I don't know if fish feel pain!!! But if I was hooked in the mouth I would'nt bite again!!!!!!
  Maybe I would, in 10 min. or so. Thats my opinion.

                                              hinkydo

[rayhakfish]

  Only when I snap there heads back so they won't thrash in the cooler. Back when I logged, I patted every tree and said sorry about this but I got 4 kids to feed.