Therefore, it is accepted what has been denied for so long: that many animals, including all mammals, birds and invertebrates like octopus, exhibit consciousness. The recognition, that humans are not the only animals with neurological structures that generate consciousness, resulted in the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, published in 2012 at the University of Cambridge, which presents the conclusion of a group of neuroscientists on the subject (13). In addition, the brain structures that transmit pain in other vertebrates are also found in fish, indicating that they are able to sense and consciously react to various potentially harmful stimuli from the environment, usually accompanied by a reflex withdrawal response, favoring their survival.(11,12). More often than not, their primary senses are as good as ours and in many cases even better. In addition to cooperating with each other, they are able to build complex structures, use tools, and use the same methods to control quantities as we humans are. Fish have good memories, live in complex social communities where they accompany other individuals and can learn from each other. A body of anatomical, physiological, behavioral, evolutionary, and pharmacological evidence suggests that fish are able to experience pain, fear, and other feelings similarly to other vertebrates, and that their perception and cognitive abilities often match, or exceed, those of other vertebrates. 7.Īlthough the evolutionary and brain developmental trajectory of fish is different from that of other vertebrates, it is clear that there are many similar structures that perform similar functions in these animals. In addition to being phylogenetically distant from humans, relative to mammals, we cannot hear them vocalize and they lack recognizable facial expressions, which are primary clues to human empathy. Part of this problem is due to the huge gap between popular perception of fish consciousness and sentience and scientific reality. Although the results of public opinion polls indicate that the population believes that these animals have intelligence and emotions, and that they are capable of feeling pain, they demonstrate a lower degree in the recognition of the sentience of fish compared to other animals (5.6). In addition to the devastating impact on wild fish populations and the aquatic environment, fish rarely receive the same level of empathy or concern for their well-being as other animals. This number is about 25 times higher than all land animals slaughtered together, which translates to about 73 billion. Around 1.5 trillion fish are captured from the wild and up to 167 billion are cultivated for human consumption each year worldwide (3). 2.įish are among the animals most used by humans, whether for consumption, scientific research, recreation or as pets. From an evolutionary standpoint, the ability to receive or possess impressions or sensations aids in the survival of species and so it is not surprising that it has evolved in humans and other animals, including fish. This means that sentient beings not only sense, observe, or react to things around them, but can also feel something in response. This understanding is a prerequisite for discussing the science of animal welfare. Sentience refers to the ability to feel, understand or perceive something through the senses. Indeed, reports have appeared on Correio da Amazonia, Portal Agora TO, Observatorio ECO, Ambiental Mercantil and Revista Rural. Our Declaration received excellent media coverage. On the basis of this recognition of sentience, Alianima sought to reinforce the need for Brazilian regulations on the humane slaughter of fish, in addition to introducing strong axes of the welfare of fish in Brazilian fish farms which remains a concept that is still in its infancy in terms of good practice. and international, attesting that fish are able to experience pain, fear and other feelings in the same way as other vertebrates. Brazil-based animal rights organization Alianima recently delivered a statement of sentience in fish to Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, signed by 41 researchers, including biologists, veterinarians and national animal specialists.
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