PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has launched a new campaign to save fish. They've renamed fish and other oceanic creatures Sea Kittens, in hopes that it would make people change their minds about eating fish.
Ashley Byrne, PETA campaign coordinator said, "PETA thought that by renaming fish sea kittens, compassionate people who would never dream of hurting a dog or a cat might extend that sympathy to fish, or sea kittens. Fish not only have the same ability to feel pain as a dog or a cat, but they also communicate with one another," she says. "They have complex social interactions; they form bonds; they express affection by gently rubbing against one another."
PETA and other animal rights groups have made some headway in convincing people to stop eating meat and fish. A recent study found that roughly 1 in 200 kids considered themselves to be vegetarians, and cited videos that showed how livestock were treated and slaughtered as a primary factor in the children's decision to forgo eating meat.
Of course, a campaign like this hasn't been met without resistance from those in the fishing industry, some that believe PETA is being unpatriotic by urging Americans not to consume their product, while others are looking forward to frying up a batch of "sea kittens' to enjoy for dinner.
In support of the "sea kitten" campaign, PETA has launched a new interactive website that visitors can create their own "sea kitten."
Byrne continued, "Most parents would never dream of spending a weekend torturing kittens for fun with their families, but hooking a sea kitten through the mouth and dragging her through the water is the same as hooking a kitten through the mouth and dragging her behind your car."
Pamela Anderson has yet to comment.
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