Fishing for Sport vs. Fishing for Food: Which is More Cruel? (Essay Sample)

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Fishing for Sport vs. Fishing for Food: Which is more cruel?
Across Centuries, fishing has been a way of life and a necessary commercial and subsistence activity for humanity, providing valuable food, employment, social and economic benefits to millions the world over. Although the majority of people fish for food, recreational or sports fishing in which people fish for pleasure or competition has become increasingly common. In 2011, for example, it was estimated that 33.1 million Americans engaged in sports fishing spending a whopping US$ 41.8 billion on fishing equipment, lodging, food, memberships, subscriptions, licenses and permits (Albala 512). Compared to fishing for human consumption which has long been regarded as a noble economic endeavor, recreational activity is purposeless, unethical, and immensely cruel.
Sports fishing, which is responsible for almost 25% of all fishing activities, is an overly cruel activity that exposes millions of fish to adverse conditions. According to Albala (512), fish released after being caught often lose their protective coating making them vulnerable to diseases. The oxygen depletion also leads to dangerous build-ups of lactic acid in the fish’s muscles while damaging the delicate fins and mouth of the fish. Furthermore, experts concur that catch and release fish victims are often weakened and unable to swim away making them vulnerable to predators. A Recent study by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation revealed that up to 43% of fish died within six days after being caught and released (Albala 512).
Researchers and animal rights activists have shown that, fish experience pain and suffering in the process of being captured. Aas (121) contends that it is indeed true that fish experience some degree of stress and pain hence fishing should not be justified by any means other than subsistence. The fact that fish is not used for food, but instead dumped, played with or tortured for pleasure also makes the whole practice cruel and unethical. Given the in-depth understanding and recognition of what caught and released fish go through, the process should be banned. Hilborn and Ulrike (21) document that, when fish are yanked from the water, they suffocate, their gills collapse and the swim bladder rupture due to sudden changes in pressure.
To illustrate the extent of cruelty to fish during the sports fishing process, the Royal Society conducted numerous experiments (Hilborn and Ulrike 21). The research found that the fish caught and released often experienced intense fear and pain during the process. Additionally, the fish subjected to the process were often so traumatized and injured that they sank to the bottom hence were unable to rejoin their school (Hilborn and Ulrike 21). The fish have also been found to remain motionless for extended periods of time while one-third eventually die within two weeks. Furthermore, whereas sporting should be between equally matched opponents, sports fishing mainly involves a struggle between the intelligent human being and a defenseless, smaller, wounded and terr...