The Vegetarian Society - vegetarians don't eat fish

New! Have your say about our environment campaign

Want to get involved in the great fish debate? Do you agree or disagree with points made below, or do you have a different view entirely? We’d like you to share your thoughts and let us know which way it cuts for you!

(if you are replying to a particular point, please quote the name of the person who made the original post, just to help us keep track)

Email the think tank now

Some recent questions and comments
To Simon. When you came onto the vegetarian society website did it not occur to you that the people who contribute are vegetarians? And that we enjoy a debate amongst ourselves without any unpleasantness..until now that is. I don't think any of us are better than the carnivores, but we have made our choices and are quite rightly proud of ourselves for sticking to our principles. I'd also add that I for one am hardly a kid and if I bleat sanctimoniously..well it's better than contributing a nasty remark to a forum I really have no other interest in than to have a go! Do I smell a guilty conscience? Perhaps deep down you want to be a veggie and join the elite gang ~Barbara
Sorry but most of you people are pathetic! The vegetarians are like "If you eat fish, you can't be a member of our elite gang" and the fish eaters are "I'm still a better human being than the carnivors" Why don't you all stop bleating you sanctamonious bunch of kids" ~Simon
I'm not vegetarian but I am doing a linguistic study on the labels 'vegetarian' and 'vegan', and have been keeping up with comments posted on the thinktank. Having read everybodys opinions and watched so many anti-meat-eating documentaries I am now seriously considering becoming vegetarian! I just wanted to contribute one small point to this discussion, however. There have been a lot of people making the point that if a person says they don't eat meat, then that must/should mean they don't eat fish also. Whilst this is only a matter of linguistic meaning, I think it is important for people to note that the word 'meat' does not primarily refer to flesh. It's first usage was to refer to food in general, and this remains the first given sense in the Oxford English Dictionary. Given how easy it is to get caught up in what words mean or don't mean, I think it is fair that some people get confused by the meaning of vegetarian. And another point- the first 'vegetarian' I knew (I was 6 yrs old) ate fish because she had just become vegetarian, and was struggling with the rigidity of the diet, this girl is now a strict vegetarian. Could it perhaps be said that the label 'vegetarian' refers more to an individuals ideologies and values, or intention to live a life free of cruelty to other creatures, than to the actual diet of the vegetarian? Thanks, ~Olivia
To Gordon Panther. Good on you that you’re working toward being a proper vegetarian and shame on all those who give us pescatarians a hard time! I never claim to be a vegetarian but I get labelled that by those who don’t understand the difference between vegetarians and pescatarians. Unlike Gordon, I’m afraid I’m no longer working towards being a full vegetarian. I was a proper vegetarian for a couple of years but then decided that I liked fish and seafood too much... although just saying that makes me feel guilty. Anyway, my point is that a lot of the vegetarians out there seem to give pescatarians a harder time than they do the meat-eaters!! I just want to stand up for the pescatarians like myself who don’t claim to be vegetarians and say that “for God’s sake, don’t be so mean. Surely not eating meat but eating fish/seafood is better than continuing to eat meat!” In the search for a suitable term for people like myself, I did have to chuckle once, when in a free London newspaper, I saw a letter concerning the debate where, instead of pescatarian, someone claimed that the likes of me was a “fish and chipocrite”. Yes, it made me laugh but still hurts a bit. Us pescatarians are not the enemy – all you militant vegetarians/vegans out there should focus your efforts instead on the carnivores among us. However, a word of caution – get too militant with them and they’ll be put off your cause and what will that achieve? ~Frankie Harpur
To Christina. All credit to you in cutting out meat from your diet, I'm sure like most of us you'll never want to eat it again. I really don't think any vegetarian would purposely be unpleasant to a non meat but fish eater, after all as we all know a bit of encouragement and praise does wonders and makes you want to strive more. It's just that it is so frustrating when people call themselves vegetarian and then sit down to a plate of fish and chips! You obviously do not come into this category. Also if I come over as a bit smug...well I am! I'm proud of myself and my principles and so should you be. I for one DO morally agree with your present status as a fish eater, I travelled the same road myself, I gave up meat 5 years before I stopped eating fish. Like me you'll get there in the end. I'm not sure about the diplomatic issue, I wouldn't eat flesh for any reason even to avoid offence but I suppose we're all different and of course that is a good thing. You certainly have my support and I wish you good luck in finding a meat and fish free diet to suit you. ~ Barbara
I would like to speak as a non-meat, poultry or pork eater. I still eat fish and I have never considered myself a vegetarian, though it is ultimately my goal. My entire life I have never ordered, cooked or bought meat. But it has only been 6+ months since I cut out meat completely b/c in my life as a diplomat I felt compelled to eat what was served to me out of respect to my host/hostess. In the past I have tried going vegetarian cold turkey but 1) it is difficult for my brain to process a long list of no-no’s at one time, 2) I am still building a base of knowledge about the necessary nutrients needed to supplement a vegetarian diet and 3) I'm still a diplomat and I must balance my responsibility to educate others around me without offending them by rejecting their hospitality when they serve me fish as my "vegetarian" option. So, please give the fish eaters a break in the blame game. We often don't label ourselves as vegetarian but society labels us that way b/c of a lack of information and knowledge. I personally do not give myself any type of label, like Leah K. I simply say I do not eat meat of any kind. The response from others is almost always "oh, you are a vegetarian?" and my reply is ALWAYS "no, I simply do not eat meat, poultry or pork or foods prepared with meat stock". Instead of directing your frustration and anger at the fish eaters for the distortion of the term vegetarian, wouldn't it be more proactive to start a campaign to educate society? Also, though most vegetarians do not recognize the term pescetarian maybe it should become more widely used in order to make it easier for society to comprehend that vegetarian and vegan are not "flexible" terms. Sorry for rambling. Though many may not morally agree with my current status as a fish eater, I would like to think that I still have support from those who respect that for me this is a transition process. ~ Christina N-H
You make some good points there Vicky, the only thing I would say is that cats and dogs, especially cats, are carnivorous by nature and in the case of cats they need taurine in their food because they can't make it themselves. This comes from other animals that cats being carnivores are "programmed" to eat, so although I am a committed vegetarian myself, I would never ever force my pet, especially one of my cats, to eat a vegetarian diet. It goes back to the same argument of human beings being able to think it out and choose for themselves what their diet should be according to their beliefs, our pets have no way of doing that and so rely on us for the best possible care. I think if my cats COULD choose they would STILL eat meat and fish but that's cats for you.
I eat fish currently. I describe myself as someone who does not eat meat but eats fish. Analysing why people say meat or fish and not just meat for both animal (mammals) and fish, this separation probably goes back to the religious practice where you 'gave up meat' on either a Friday or at Lent etc, but were able to eat fish as that was not classed as meat. That is how we got the tradition of fish on a Friday, if you didn't know. Anyhow, I agree with all the people who say don't call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish. The thing is, I gave up meat (and not fish) when I did not want to eat it anymore. I did not give it up for moral reasons, or at least not consciously. I did always refuse to eat non free range eggs and I am going back 25 years when they were harder to get. As I have got older I have realised the cruelty that goes on in the world, including in food production. I am a member of the HSA (Humane Slaughter Association) which campaigns for both animals and fish to live and die without unnecessary cruelty at time of slaughter and up to including transport and where/how they are raised eg stock density of fish and novel stunning methods which can be placed on fishing boats so fish are killed quick at time of harvest. I think animals and fish will continue to be consumed for a while yet, and maybe for longer by pets, which means we need to support such organisations which educate workers in food production so that any meat and fish we do eat or feed to our pet is produced with minimal cruelty. ~ Vicky
I can't pretend to know much about supplements but I got some Omega 3 for vegetarians and vegans at Tesco, £2 for 30 capsules, the pack says to keep your joints supple and heart healthy, that'll do for me. The ingredients listed are Vitamin E 0.67mg and Flaxseed Oil (Linseed oil) providing Omega 3 300mg plus stuff to make the capsules out of, they're free from sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, FISH, milk, egg and salt. ~ Barbara
There are now at least three vegetarian and vegan products available online that contain at least 200mg per capsule of DHA, which can be converted by the body to EPA. The DHA is obtained from seaweed or algae and the products contain no poisonous heavy metals. A quick google will bring these products up. It's a major breakthrough and seems from online anecdotes to have done wonders for the physical and mental health of some people, so I think it's very important to spread the word. I believe the knowledge that there is now truly no known essential nutrient that vegetarians can't get would massively boost the numbers of vegetarians and the health of existing vegetarians, and in particular cut the number of people eating fish. Please mention these developments in the campaign. Flax is pretty rubbish, it did nothing to improve my concentration, memory or emotional state but DHA does seem to have worked wonders. It doesn't seem right that vegetarian groups are still pushing flax as an alternative for the omega 3 fatty acids that are the most important for brain function. ~ Rachel
I hope all vegetarians, pescatareans and those who would like to join either group of believers had a wonderful Christmas lunch and I hope that by next Christmas the ranks of both have swelled. Best Wishes, Barbara
As Becca said, I do not and would not ostracise people who eat fish, and as I've already said further down this board I'm of the opinion that any cutting down on meat or fish is at least a step in the right direction and should be applauded. It's just this on-going thing about people eating fish and calling themselves vegetarian. Becoming a vegetarian doesn't come easily...if , like me, you ate meat and fish from childhood until well into adulthood before realising that it is wrong to eat animals then to be able to call yourself a vegetarian is a reward, like gaining a qualification, there was determination involved to stop eating flesh, not because I didn't like it but because as an animal lover, animal rights camapigner and fundraiser for an animal sanctuary my conscience would no longer pipe down and let me continue to eat it. If you went to university and worked hard for four years for a degree wouldn't you resent someone just doing half the course and then calling themselves a professor? Fish-only eaters deserve recognition and a title of their own to distinguish them from carnivores but they're not vegetarians, pescatarians seems a reasonable title to me. ~Barbara
Did you say, Lizzi, you probably care more about Vegetarian issues, more than MOST Vegetarians? You've just shot yourself in the foot. That is not fair. Barbara is not ostracising Pescatarians for eating fish, as I'm sure I stated in my previous post. And we've never said that eating fish isn't good enough. The fact of the matter is, pescatarians are calling themselves Vegetarians, and consequently, people are developing the conception that Vegetarians eat fish. Vegetarians DON'T eat fish! It's upsetting for a lot of Vegetarians to be offered fish as a 'Vegetarian' dish. We are campaigning to stop cruelty to animals. Fish suffer cruelty, too, and if the conception that Vegetarians eat fish gets out, then it defeats the object of becoming veggie for a lot of people! Fish seems to be meat that most people can't seem to let go of ; why is this? (I'm not patronising, i'm just curious). I realise there are health issues with becoming Vegetarian, if you don't do it properly! but I've been Vegetarian 5 years and I haven't got any health issues. I take Flaxseed [Linseed] oil non gelatin capsules twice daily, and a Vegan Multi vitamin tablet every day. I also drink soy milk, eat vegetables with everything I have [green vegetables, like broccoli, which is excellent for iron levels] and I eat Vegetarian Cheese which is a good source of.. something, haha. [Vegetarian cheese is made with Vegetarian rennet, which is rennet produced by fermentation of the fungus Mucor miehei which is in replacement of animal rennet.] And I think, rather than 'pesco's' fighting with vegetarians to be labelled as a vegetarian, which they obviously want to be, they should focus their attention on cutting all meat out of their diet, INCLUDING FISH, because CRUELTY TO FISH DOES EXIST!! I'm sorry, but we cannot accept pescos calling themselves vegetarian. i despise it. i'm so pleased people are trying their best to become vegetarian, and i have no problem with pescos apart from the labelling thing. What you said, about fighting for the 'real issues', [animal cruelty and whatnot]? the truth of the matter is, by buying and eating fish, you are still supporting the cruel animal trade. Not to a horrific extent, of course, which I salute and commend you for, but still supporting it in a small way. Vegetarians cannot be seen to support animal cruelty in any way, and pescatarians need to be told. I'm sorry for all of you pescos out there, i mean no offence, why not start a pesco society to gain the support you feel you lack? ~Becca
OK Barbara, so maybe "pescetarian" is better, and doesn't have any of the problems that you described with vegequarian. I am on the same side as you here, I don't want fish-eaters calling themselves vegetarian; but the way to do it is to give them an alternative. We have to look at the bigger picture here; people who have cut out all meat except fish have taken steps in the right direction, and should be encouraged - a hardline stance will drive them away from our cause. Anyone who even cuts down on their meat consumption is contributing to our cause - which is to reduce animal suffering and environmental damage, not to make ourselves morally superior. Fish-eaters can't use the label vegetarian, but I think that they should have another recognised label, as there are many of them and I think they are isolated, ostracised by both omnivores and vegetarians.
I think you all should just chill out. I was a vegetarian but for health reasons I was advised strongly to eat fish, which I do now but not very often. I still have all of the opinions that a vegetarian does, and probably care alot more than most vegetarians about environmental and ethical reasons. But at the end of the day people's health comes first because if we are unhealthy how do you expect us to carry on with spreading the word and encouraging others to be vegetarian. Just because I am forced rarely to eat meat doesn't mean that I like it or agree with it. We all have the same intentions so stop picking on people, like humans pick on poor animals. We should stop arguing and start working together to combat the REAL ISSUES. ~ Lizzi - Pescetarian
Yes, I have a comment. Fish have lives, those people who eat fish therefore deprive an animal of life and eat its body. Vegetarians do not eat the bodies of fellow creatures. No way should a fish eater call themselves vegetarian. They demean the word and frankly do not deserve the right to use it. I have never heard of the term vegequarian and to be blunt I think it's tosh. It would be confusing to people and possibly the subject of mockery. If people want to eat fish good luck to them but they have no claim on any word that begins with vege as vege means LIFE. ~ Barbara
Actually, on second thoughts, I think there is one way out of this dilemma. We have got to promote the term "vegequarian"! There should be vegequarian restaurants, societies etc. set up - and the term would soon rise to a similar calibre as vegetarian and vegan! Then these millions of people would actually get a reward for their dietary change, they would not feel isolated or rejected anymore, and they would not have to cling to the term "vegetarian" to be socially recognised! Any comments?
I am grieved by this whole "war" between vegetarians and pescos - all because of the issue of labelling. I am a vegetarian (not a pescetarian) and the only reason that I am discontented with pescos calling themselves veggo, spreading the idea that veggos eat fish, is that it confuses people who are catering for vegetarians - I have been offered fish as a vegetarian option! It is this practical consequence, not an arbitary moral stance of "superiority", that makes me complain. That being said, I feel that what is really to blame is that we have taken labelling and divisions too far. We have two established labels - "vegetarian" (no products of an animal's death) and "vegan" (no animal products) - the words "pescetarian" or "vegequarian" are not really used much - have you heard of a vegequarian restaurant? or an organic pescetarian grocer? This "label" does not give the pescetarian the "reward" that the label "vegetarian" gives to the lacto-ovo. Sure, labels are useful - how otherwise would we define ourselves and receive proper catering? - but in my opinion, we have taken them way, way too far.
Wow Becca! That told them :-) but I do agree with your sentiments and it's an endless source of annoyance to me and my friends when people proudly state they're vegetarian but eat fish, I applaud them not eating meat but, as I've raved on about before...... fish is life! Earlier this week we walked out of one of a well known chain of pubs branches because we wanted a vegetarian breakfast and were informed after I'd placed the order and paid for it there "were none" and we should choose something else............ well of course everything else included meat or fish so I stated loudly that being vegetarian we wanted vegetarian meals and if they couldn't provide them then we'd have a refund and go elsewhere, which we did. I didn't get my breakfast but I made a bit of noise for vegetarianism. Likewise while waiting at supermarket checkouts, my friend and I discuss the horrors of meat and fish eating loud enough to be overheard. I always think that if you can get the chance to speak about being veggie, and why you are, then maybe you are sowing a seed and somewhere along the line it'll take root. ~ Barbara
Pescatarians - please don't call yourselves Vegetarians. You're not. I'm sorry if you feel this ostracises you... but it's the truth. You've got to accept Vegetarians are called Vegetarians for a reason! - Vege - tarian. Someone who eats a majority Vegetable diet and eats no flesh of animals - meat, poultry or FISH! I for one am extremely sick of being offered fish as an option in restaurants. I ask "what's your Vegetarian option?" then say "Tuna? Fish and Chips?" I am tired of responding with "No, I'm Vegetarian. Whats your Vegetarian option, with no meat!" I'm also sick of what appears to be a very narrow Vegetarian choice. The restaurants are catering better to Vegetarians now, but surely they can think of something more imaginative than Lasagne or pasta? I'm just getting a tads sick of it now! lol " I think it is very unfair that people who eat fish (peskatarians) are recieving so much grief. I personally think that it's a slightly unprovoked attack. You vegetarians have your own society, we have nothing; even though we don't eat cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs etc. we are still apparently as bad as those who do. Well I am sorry. I thought the Vegetarian Society welcomed everyone. Maybe I should go find a Peskatarian Society and join that. Oh sorry. There isn't one. " You're exactly right. Pescatarians do not have their own society. But I must disagree with you on a few things. Vegetarians are not giving you grief because you eat fish. It's excellent you are making the first steps to becoming a full Vegetarian! But Vegetarians don't eat fish under any circumstances. What we are angry and frustrated about is pescatarians calling themselves 'Vegetarians'! If you keep calling yourself Vegetarian when you're clearly not because you eat fish, we have every right to argue our point. The lifestyle choice of a Vegetarian is an extremely difficult change to make in the first few months. Our society is generally a meat eating society and a lot of people are ignorant to the values a Vegetarian has, and it is very frustrating to us when we are campaigning to make people aware of the values of not eating meat, but there are people walking around calling themselves Vegetarians and declaring they still eat fish, as though fish are not as important as cows, chicken, pigs... etc! It's disgraceful! Fish are animals too! Just because we can't see them and we can't cuddle them and touch them doesn't mean they don't feel pain! THEY DO! What do you think happens to fish when they are killed? They're suffocated! They cannot breathe when they come out of the water! The second they leave the water they start to die. So, in human senses, they drown or are whacked over the head. You know as well as I do that if you get smashed over the head sometimes you don't die straight away. Can you even begin to imagine how fish would feel after having been battered, barely conscious and being unable to breathe? When they are caught in large fishing nets, the ones underneath the rest are crushed to death. Dolphins and other sea mammals are caught in the nets. The nets are then, if broken, left on the sea floor damaging our sea environment. If you want a Pescatarian society, feel free to go ahead and make one. Just don't expect to be welcomed into the Vegetarian society. With regards to Barbara, respect to you. You're exactly what this world needs. A.J Smith, how can you be so narrow minded? See my above points on fish being caught for food. How can you find fish unimportant when you clearly have moral values as to cut out other animals out from your diet? You cannot say Quorn burgers wouldn't be there if Pescatarians weren't there to eat them as well? There is a huge influx of Vegetarians now and it's still growing! Proper Vegetarians, who don't eat fish! By saying you're Vegetarian and you eat fish you're throwing things we're campaigning for back in our faces. I know Vegetarian is simply a word, but it's a word with powerful connotations and you have to respect this! I'm a proud Vegetarian and I have been for a long long time. ~Becca
I do not believe that we should persecute those who eat fish for their opinion; after all we live in a society where we should accept the view of who ever come our way. I also feel that it is inappropriate of us vegetarians to get annoyed at those who claim themselves to be vegetarian when they are not; this is a simple misconception that should, if the issue is raised, be calmly rectified. I would however argue with a pescatarian as I do not believe that we should treat fish with a different attitude than we would treat any other land living mammal. Surely if you believe in the rights of animals you believe in the rights of all animals and not just the ones that we hear so much about. All animals think, feel, interact and have the right to a peaceful life - something that we have to take into account when we consider their slaughter for food. ~ Kirsten Jenkins
In my local supermarket the other day (naming no names) I saw some own brand fish-style fingers at a bit of an inflated price but thought they would make a change so bought a pack to try.....Oh dear me! They were AWFUL, like rubber encased in breadcrumbs and they tasted like nothing on Earth! I think eating fish will remain just a memory from now on and fish-alike products may stay in the chill counter at the supermarket! ~ Barbara
The Vegetarian Society’s fish campaign does not aim to attack individuals who stop eating all other dead animals but still include fish in their diet. Pescatarians are, of course, making a very real contribution to reducing animal suffering and the environmental damage of a meat-based diet. Along with meat reducers, and indeed anyone interested in vegetarianism but not yet ready to make the commitment themselves, pescatarians are more than welcome to join the Society as Associate Members. The views expressed on this Think Tank page are contributed by individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or actions of The Vegetarian Society. However, we do not apologise in any way for campaigning on this issue, or for giving people a forum in which to express their personal views. Vegetarians find the misconception that we all eat fish extremely frustrating, particularly when they are repeatedly offered fish as a vegetarian option. This one area of our work seeks to directly challenge such misconceptions and explain why vegetarians choose not to eat fish. Some pescatarians may find the information here changes their mind about eating fish but for those who do not, we make one simple request: please do not refer to yourself as a vegetarian - it just confuses other people. ~Liz O’Neill, Head of Communications, The Vegetarian Society
I think it is very unfair that people who eat fish (peskatarians) are recieving so much grief. I personally think that it's a slightly unprovoked attack. You vegetarians have your own society, we have nothing; even though we don't eat cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs etc. we are still apparently as bad as those who do. Well I am sorry. I thought the Vegetarian Society welcomed everyone. Maybe I should go find a Peskatarian Society and join that. Oh sorry. There isn't one.
To Amy, it's amazing in these "enlightened" times that even after emailing the caterer you were stuck with such an unappetising meal, when it comes to fish there seems to be this huge blank spot, I sometimes think that people think fish are vegetables and grow in the ground! Like you I have been "wound up" by my work mates, and even told to get a chicken leg down me...yuck! At one "leaving do" at work after examining and rejecting all the food I once ended up with a plate of ready salted crisps! Ah well, better than eating meat OR fish eh? At least we can have a laugh about it. ~ Barbara
I attended a work 'do' on Friday at which they served a buffet. We are asked to email if we have any special dietary requirements beforehand so I emailed explaining that I was a vegetarian. At the event the food consisted of various vegetable side dishes and a number of mains. The mains were; chicken, pork, salmon and quiche. They had clearly gone to town on all the other mains but the quiche was particularly unimpressive and the portion was tiny (4 small mouthfuls to be precise)!! I was also offered a side salad when I explained I was vegetarian (how exciting!) which the caterer served with the tongs he was using for the fish! I've been a vege for 16 years and I don't consider myself a 'fussy' vege but I am surprised at the lack of consideration vegetarianism is given when it's really not a new concept. Furthermore, when I emailed the member of staff responsible for organising the event to complain about the food and service I was told that if I was a vegetarian who didn't eat fish I should have stated this.... Eh?!.... Surely, if you're vegetarian then unless you state otherwise people should assume you do not eat fish? Even my meat eater colleagues who like to wind me up about being a vege agree with me on this one!! ~ Amy
To A J Smith, so you've changed the world single handedly have you? Well done you!! I'd just like to make a few points if I may...... How do you justify saying that "we" wouldn't have Quorn burgers if "the pescies" (of which you are one) weren't there to buy them too? You might as well congratulate the meat-eaters who occasionally use Quorn too..... why pray is it impossible that genuine long term vegetarians like myself have not influenced the market with our purchasing habits? And you don't eat other meat becaue you "know how it's made"...excuse me? Made? It is born, reared by it's mother, taken away and killed, or bred in an intensive rearing environment without ever knowing it's mother's care or for that matter fresh air and natural light. It isn't made!! It is!!! It exists...it has been alive and is now dead. You are meat!!!!!!! And so is fish. If you think I'm pious you're dead right I am when faced by a hypocrit like you. ~ Barbara
I eat fish and I call myself a vegetarian. I don’t eat other meat because I know how it’s made. It’s me and millions like me that supplied the economic muscle to finally start changing the food industry, not the pious minority and nothing the rest of you say will ever change that. For me the point of being a (cough) vegetarian is to apply pressure to a bad industry that was and is doing serious harm to both animals and consumers, with bad farmers inflicting conditions of inhumane terror and an unwillingness to know or want to on the part of others that mirrors our human on human war atrocities. Maybe to inflict or ignore is something in our collective psyche. I find this page and others like it where people who clearly have a lot in common split hairs and argue with each other over the definition of mere words deeply worrying. It’s an economic war - pick a side and for your own sakes don’t define yours so tightly that you make it a voiceless and small one. You wouldn’t have any Quorn burgers if the pescies wern't there to buy them too. So don't declare a vegetarian victory in our time and exclude the rest of us on the definition of a word - It's just what the meat farmers want. In my time I have seen the availability of vegetarian foods go through the roof and farming standards improve immesurably. I chose my diet to change the world by voting with my pocket. ...And so far I did. ~A J Smith
I am having a little rant here. Have you noticed that Heinz have recently been putting fish oil into their small cans of pasta in tomato cans such as the childrens characters ones. Surely this eliminates some of their market and means they are no longer suitable for veggies!!!! ~ Amy Hall
I think it's a bit ridiculous when people say that it's ok to eat fish because they aren't as intelligent as other mammals. Well how do we know this? Just because we can't relate to them as well that doesn't mean they aren't clever... people assume that to be clever is to be human-like. Well I'm sorry but I think humans are fools... look what we've done to the planet! Anyway, even if fish aren't as 'smart' as say a cow or chicken, this doesn't mean they deserve less respect. A mentally handicapped or comatosed person could be seen as less 'smart' than a fish. Some people in comas have no brain activity... does this mean we should eat them? Should we treat a person with a higher IQ with more respect than someone with a lower one? I've known some pretty stupid people in my time but that doesn't mean I'd start abusing them like people abuse the 'dumb' fish population. Ok so that's my little rant done with. I think this site is great and have learned a lot about the fishing industry. I don't eat fish anyway and really do get annoyed when people say they are 'vegetarian' when they eat fish. Something I would suggest though is adding some more information about the health implications of eating fish. We all know that eating meat is bad for your health and can make you fat but what health benefits could you include that would make people want to give up fish?
Let’s just forget about all the labeling. If one eats fish, one can say, I eat fish rather than using the V label. That V label would just confuse more people. How does one define ‘meat’? Fish flesh is surely meat if you eat it. I always stress fish are not vegetables. They are animals with flesh used by some people as meat. Meat doesn’t just mean mammals’ flesh, does it? Some people think because ocean fish have a happy life so it justifies the killing of them. Having a happy life = it’s ok to kill them? Fish is meat and fish aren’t vegetables. ~ Lee
Gill, I'm sorry and I don't mean this in a nasty way but when you start your message off with "My husband and I are vegetarians......" and then go on to say "...but we eat fish" it makes me think "Oh no, here we go again!" What you should describe yourselves as is pescatarian, if you eat fish you are NOT vegetarian. The lack of alternatives isn't really much of an excuse for still eating animals, you either do or do not believe in eating the flesh of something that has lived and breathed. I don't think people regard vegetarians as wierdos so much these days, it's getting much more commonplace and just about everywhere you go there are veggie options now. Have you tried using mushrooms? They give a very satisfying "chew" and taste when added to a meal and there are various types with different tastes and textures to experiment with. ~ Barbara
What about nuts Gill? People always seem to forget these but unless you have specific allergies, they are wonderful sources of protein. They also come in different flavours and so lend themselves to different dishes. For example, we would used toasted almonds or pine nuts with pasta dishes; include cashews when we boil up rice; make a tasty white sauce with ground hazels; a nut roast with chestnuts or brazils, and I just eat pecans by themselves as a snack! People also forget that "pulses" include peas, which don't have the same unsociable effects as some beans. Again, we love cooking garden peas with rice and really enjoy old-fashioned "mushy peas" with our chips. ~ Mrs B Cooper
My husband Paul and I are both vegetarian, but eat fish. We therefore (if asked) describe ourselves as pesco vegetarians, and then obviously have to explain what that means. We don't believe in giving other people a hard time about their nasty meat eating habits, so we just wish everyone would stop looking at us as if we are hippy dippy weirdoes who just fell out of the latest "save a tree" campaign. Not that we wish any harm to the trees, either..... If we didn't eat fish we think we would probably struggle to find much to eat. I mean, beans and pulses are lovely, but their after effects can be unsociable. We also don't eat "pseudo-meat", quorn and such like. If it looks and smells like meat, then I'm not interested. All this being said, can anyone suggest what the next stage is for a vegetarian diet which is currently fairly heavily reliant on fish? We would give it up if we thought we could still enjoy eating. ~ Gill
Well Rick that is a different approach I must say! I can only speak for myself, I'm a vegetarian eat NO FISH and no meat, I'm also the proud owner of a very large freshwater fish tank that is home to three huge and happy goldfish, they were about an inch and a half when they came to live with us 2 years ago and they're now about 8" each, much loved and well cared for. They swim to the side of the tank and look at us at breakfast and tea time as they "know" their feeding times and they have plenty to keep them busy in the tank plus light and shade and fresh water top ups regularly. So as they came to us from a crowded fish tank in a pet shop, I like to think that they have had a better life than they would have done if someone else had selected them at random. All fish tank owners are by no means cruel to their fish nor neglect them, if you do a bit of background research on the Internet on your computer you'll find plenty of tips on how to keep them healthy. Another point I'd like to make is that when you DO have "pet" fish in the home you really can't understand anyone wanting to kill and eat such intelligent creatures. You CAN buy vegetarian Omega capsules. ~ Barbara
	If you have a fish tank you are still vegetarian - vegetarians have pet mammals so why not pet fish?
This debate has me thinking… Are you a vegetarian if you own a fish tank? The hole veggie thing revolves around not needlessly killing things. So you could argue that a vegetarian how had a pet fish that died was in actuality a Piscarian. But no fish was actually devoured. Then again, if their was a vegetarian how was negligent of pet fish causing them to die horrible diseased deaths is agents all principles (obviously in theory; few if any vegetarians or anyone for that mater would do that). I can support both sides of the argument; Yes- no fish is eaten, fish live longer, arguably happier lives free of the fear of predators and disease. No- it is hypercritical to declare yourself a vegetarian how is agents cruelty to animals and yet have a fish tank, not everyone takes care of their pet fish leaving potential for horrible suffering leading to death(and then not even being eaten; a complete waste!), by owning a fish you support the pet-fish triad ( are all fish in all stores treated humanly? How many wind up dead before they reach the store?), and of course its cruel to lock anything up in a small glass box for the rest of its life potentially alone, and potentially deprived of the chance of finding a mate and experiencing "love"? This whole thing might be off topic, but it seams the "death to Piscarian" people use the hole cruelty to fish thing a lot, so it is sort of related. I'm 16 and a Piscarian myself. I was going to become an ova-lacto vegetarian, but it seamed hypercritic considering all the fish that died in the fish tank I own( for the record, I do my best to be human about it) and I'm not a smart guy and couldn't manage my health in regards to omega-3 outside a fish oil vitamin supplement. Anyway, its just some food for thought, probably will go strait to the archives anyway (or deleted). Moreover, sorry about the poor grammar, I am not exactly what you could call smart. ~ Rick
Lee, I'm sure you're right that it will take many many years before people finally realise that animals aren't just here to be eaten, worked and abused but are sentient animals with the right to live their natural lives in the way they were intended. I think all so called "food animals" have an awful life but fish must be amongst the worst of all because they aren't even credited with the ability to feel pain. I really admire those who stand up and shout out to the world about the cruelty of it all but as I said before I feel beat these days and I all I can do is keep beavering away and trying to do my bit locally. I agree we all should have a pat on the back though even if only for caring! Rachel, all the very best to your little girl, good for her for making up her own mind to stop eating meat, that is the way most of us started and then progressed to not eating fish either. I wish I'd had the courage at such a young age to make the decision not to eat flesh. It's just that when one says they are vegetarian and then proceeds to eat fish it makes people think that vegetarians DO as a whole eat fish, which of course is so untrue. Pescatarian is a much better choice of word and if she or you need to explain it's meaning then you're spreading the word even farther. ~ Barbara
Interesting. If fish were the only meat I’d eat, I would say “The only meat I eat is fish or fish is the only meat I eat”. It couldn’t get clearer than this. ~ Lee
Barbara, We must give ourselves a pat on the shoulder because someone has to start to raise people’s awareness of the cruelty fish and other animals suffer from. If we don’t do it, people will never see the cruelty. It will take hundreds of years before the situation sees any significant improvement. Hundreds of years ago, I am sure there were human right activists fighting for the rights of the vulnerable and the deprived in the society and it is recent history when the human race recognised the fact all humans are equal. I hope one day they’ll see all animals are equal and deserve to live in the natural world. ~ Lee
I have a daughter who aged 8 decided to stop eating meat - she is now 10 and we are a meat eating family otherwise although for many years have chosen to eat less meat in order to buy free-range, organic meat usually from local farms. She does however eat fish, her choice. She usually says when asked that she is vegetarian - not because she believes fish are not animals but because then people know not to give her meat - that is why they tend to ask, because they want to know what they can feed her. Thankfully the only time we have been verbally attacked due to using the word vegetarian, the person turned on me and not her. She does actually use the word "pescatarian" to qualify herself when being asked because someone is actually interested, because we wanted to find out what one would term someone who has a basically vegetarian diet but eats fish. Please be careful in who you attack, my daughter may well make a different choice as she gets older, maybe I will too! However I'm sure that many people say vegetarian as it is understood and, after all, being given vegetarian or even vegan food isn't a problem for someone who eats a vegetarian diet plus fish but being given meat products would be. So sometimes it's just easiest - especially for a child or as a mother filling in a dietary requirement form to say vegetarian as then you know the food will be safe. ~ Rachel
Lee I'm too much of a coward to even look at the link you posted, these days I just can't seem to bear to witness cruelty taking place when there's nothing I can do to stop it happening to that particular animal. It's way to late now for that fish. But like you, I can't understand why it's allowed to happen and why there are no regulations (and why anyone would revel in it as you said the guy who posted it did). I think we're fighting a losing battle that will go on long after at least I for one have dropped off my twig. ~ Barbara
Guys, please have a look at this clip and this is really cruel. Don’t do it to any fish. The guy who posted this thinks it’s hilarious that the fish is still moving on the dinner plate. Fish are animals and I cannot understand why there isn’t any law requiring that they are stunned first before they are slaughtered. Anyway, I am glad I am no longer part of that cruel industry because I do not eat fish. Leave some comment to educate this guy. (warning-distressing images in this clip) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=skxkHxtua9Y&mode=related&search= ~ Lee
In response to Lily: Like Barbara said, it is not "Nuff said". Does your argument mean that vegetarians can choose to eat some other meat too if it's not endangered?! What a load of rubbish! It's like saying that if you're teetotal you can choose to drink some spirits, or a particular brand of beer perhaps; or if you've taken a vow of celibacy you can choose to sleep with selected people! It's very simple: Either you're a vegetarian or you're not; and if you eat ANY meat or fish then you are definitely NOT. If you want to eat fish (or meat for that matter) then fine, it's your choice, but don't say that you're a vegetarian when you're not; because it only confuses others about people who really are. ~ Amanda
To Lily and Alex: Let me stress again: Being vegetarian means you eat VEGETABLES. Fish ARE NOT vegetables. Fish deserve to be recognised as animals, sentient living creatures. People who do not eat sentient living creatures are vegetarians. Vegans do not eat or use any products coming from animals like milk, eggs, silk, leather, wool…etc. ~ Abe
Having watched the clip from the link that Lee supplied I am sickened. Those fish have no room to move and are literally just waiting to die, I was terrified I was going to see dogs and cats in cages as well wating to be sold for food. Horrible viewing but thanks are due to Lee for bringing it to our attention. ~ Barbara
Have a look at this clip and I hope you’ll feel sorry for the fish cramped in tiny containers. Some are less cramped than others, but just imagine how you would feel if you were the fish. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7pLyYsEHGM8 ~ Lee
I think that vegetarians can eat some fish if they are not endangered. Nuff said ~ lily	In response to Lily. No Lily "nuff" not said, each and every single fish that you eat was endangered....and lost it's fight for life , we are not talking fish as a species but fish as individuals and each life of each fish is precious and unique to that particular fish. If you choose to eat fish you are NOT a vegetarian. ~ Barbara
In order to be clear, we should call people what they are:- People who eat anything:- Omnivores People who eat meat:- Carnivores People who eat only vegetables:- Vegans People who don’t eat living creatures:- Vegetarians My name for People who eat fish is:- Piscarians Pass it on ~ Alex Bird
In response to Simon; I like fish, that is why I don't eat them. There are fish-style replacements you can eat, look in the fridge/freezer section of your nearest healthfood shop. Also, I have an ideal replacement to your daily lunchtime tuna sandwich: a houmus sandwich... or tahini, or salad, or chargrilled vegetables, there are plenty of soya/rice based cheese-style products too (some better than others) - I like the soft 'cheese-style' spreads better than the hard 'cheeses'. See, there are plenty of alternatives to a fish sandwich. Good on you for giving up the other meats - beef, chicken, pork etc. but just give it a go and you will see how easy (and tasty) it is to be vegetarian. However ethically 'produced' a fish is, it is still a life that we have no right to take, especially as we do not need to eat it with all the other produce we can consume. Good luck to you Simon, and all you other 'pescitarians', you are almost there! ~Erica
I gave up eating white and red meat when I was 13 but carried on eating fish at first as mum said there was nothing else she could eat. By the time I was 16 I gave up fish too. I have never agreed with eating any kind of animal but at 13 what mum says goes! I know that proper vegetarians don't eat fish and I find it even more ridiculous that some people are calling themselves veggie cos they only eat fist. Why don't they call themselves non-mamal eaters? The only part of being vegetarian that annoys me is when I find out that something I have been drinking for ages is not suitable, such as Guinness but better late than never. ~ Yvonne, 21, Manchester
Lee, it would be a shame to deprive yourself of the pleasure of a cat's company just because they eat fish! Cats are as they were made, they can not find out about things and make informed choices as we can, they depend on us and deserve a proper balanced diet to keep them healthy. I have no qualms about feeding our cats fish and meat but when it comes to myself I have made the decision not to eat them and have the brain power to work out a healthy diet with neither fish nor meat included, this is my choice but I do not have the power to choose an alternative diet for my cats.
I would not preach, but if they ask and show an interest in vegetarianism or veganism, I would be more than happy to give them the facts. Being a vegetarian means one eats vegetables and fish are animals not vegetables. How funny this “fish-eating vegetarianism” exists in the UK! I am still feeling guilty because our cats eat fish so I will definitely think twice about getting a cat in the future. ~ Lee
I agree Hollie that some people are ignorant of the facts of vegetarianism and veganism, which is why it's OUR job to enlighten them! In the nicest possible way and without judgement...what is it they say "Softly softly, catchee monkey!" ~ Barbara
I am a proper vegetarian, no meat, no fish. However I have a friend who calls herself a vegetarian but still eats fish. One day I was sitting eating my lunch when one of my other friends came up to me and said, "Why are you vegan!?" I was a bit surprised and told her I wasn't. She then said that my other friend (the fish eater) had been going round telling everyone I was vegan, because vegans didn't eat fish, but vegetarians did! Surely the meanings of 'vegetarian' and 'vegan' have not changed that much!? Why are people so ignorant about this? People should be told. ~ Hollie Barkshaw
I had one fish burger after I decided to stop eating “meat”and I started doing some research on the internet and I learned fish are animals and fish meat is meat. So after that one burger I have not had any meat. But to my surprise, a nasty surprise, I discovered a lot of the curry paste contains meat sauce! Nasty. Must read the ingredients thoroughly. How fish are treated is probably worse than other animals because they are not even recognised as sentient animals and they get thrown in a container where they squash one another to death or suffocate to death. In many countries, they even start filleting them while they are still alive for the ultimate freshness for Su**i. ~ Lee
I agree with Barbara, I think you shouldn't worry too much about insects, Lee, otherwise you'll just feel so bad all the time! Yes, cats have to have meat, but humans don't. We can survive on a meat free diet, and I think that is what everyone should do. My Mum says it is part of the food chain, but it's not, it's our choice... Anyway, fish. I think, personally, that vegetarians should not eat fish. Yes, fish don't lead such a horrible life as other animals, but they still feel pain, and some are pumped with chemicals to make them grow larger/have a richer colour. Some fish are actually kept in small, cramped cages, which make them stressed. This can result in many deaths. Also, fish are animals. Vegetarians do not eat animals, and I'm sticking to that. ~Hannah
To Lee, I think you can only do your best as you see it, if you start worrying about grass, ants etc you'll drive yourself mad! Cats and dogs are nautral carnivores and I know that ceratainly cats HAVE to have meat as their bodies can't make taurine otherwise, we take them on and must look after their needs and not impose our dietary choices on them. I eat neither fish nor meat but still buy catfood and even cooked chicken for our cats (mind you I feel guilty at the checkout incase anyone sees me buying meat) Simon, you can only do your bit, if you don't want to give up fish fair enough....focus on the animals you are NOT eating, there are that many less killed for food. A bit off subject but has anyone noticed that once you give up meat/fish the smell when passing butchers shops and wetfish shops is stomach-turning? ~Barbara Bates
I have recently been choosing not to eat meat but have no intention to give up fish. It’s a halfway house, I know, and my own decision. While there are many alternatives to the beef, chicken and pork I previously consumed nothing can replace my daily lunchtime tuna sandwiches and surely this is better than eating both meat and fish? What about accepting that some people like fish and focusing on choosing more ethically produced fish, ie living a good life in the natural sea and humanely killed? How can we tell this when we buy fish? On Dan’s point “there’ll be no discussion on what we’re eating” as he eats veggie and friends eat meat I am certainly getting surprised people commenting when I choose something not containing meat, almost as though I’m from another planet! ~ Simon
I don’t not eat any meat including fish and shell fish. Anything living deserves to live in my opinion, but can anyone shed any light on where the boundary should lie? We walk on the grass in the park and I am sure we trample on ants and other insects; we see a mosquito or cockroach and we feel we need to get rid of them otherwise they might spread deadly diseases and just give you a nasty bite. They can feel pain, can’t they? I buy cat food for my cats. That contributes to the death of lots of fish and chickens. Would you feel bad about it? The whole point of my vegetarianism is to cause no death to animals, but buying cat food does that. Fortunately I live in Aberdeen where I don’t need to deal with cockroaches and mosquitoes. Anyway, enjoy your vegetarian diet because I do mine. Watch out for Blue Dragon Thai curry paste. It contains fish sauce. ~ Lee from Aberdeen, Scotland
I was veggie for about 3 1/2 years and then became piscetarian 2 years ago. It was absolute horror to my family as I am a Texan and I am from a ranching family. So, I can't say the "if I can't do it myself" because I have done. The only thing I can say about my family is they raise free range animals. I made my decision as a health choice and later after moving to England it was reaffirmed by the treatment of animals. Although I do not get aggressive or offended when people say that they are veggie but they eat fish, I inform them that they are actually piscetarians ... thus the word pisces .... many people don't know the different names for vegetarianism and appreciate the info. Eating fish is helpful to my health ... so is taking fish oil as I have severe arthritis from so many broken bones. The English weather has taken a great toll on my arthritis and the alternatives lower your white blood count etc. It is only a part of my regime, but there is a great difference between being able to walk and not being able to. God gave us free will ... why should we take the choice from our fellow human beings? They have to live up to their own choices like we do in the end. All we can do is inform and be supportive. ~ Melissa
Well, pescatarean-non-sectarian-veggie according to this definition, from this page http://www.vnv.org.au/Definitions.htm you are NOT a pure vegetarian Definition of "Vegetarianism" There are many different forms of vegetarianism (which often causes confusion!) A general definition of vegetarianism is: Vegetarianism is the practice of living on products of the plant kingdom, with or without the use of eggs and dairy products, but excluding entirely the consumption of any part of the body of an animal as food (including chicken, fish and seafood). The term "vegetarian" means a person who follows such practice, or describes such a person, creature, establishment or food pertaining to vegetarianism. The term "vegetarian" comes from "vegetus", the Latin for "enlivened", and has no connection, apart from a linguistic one, with vegetables. This is a common misconception. but I say full marks to anyone who tries in anyway to save animal or fish lives just don't call yourselves vegetarians if you eat fish or chicken! If you look on the above link there are plenty of other titles for various diet regimes. I don't feel in the least aggressive towards anyone on this forum, and Janet thanks for the compliment but I am 53 years old and gave up meat when I was 46 and fish a while after. ~ Barbara Bates
I thought Belinda Johnstone’s letter was very good. The average age of people replying seems to be very young. I gave up eating meat at the age of 50 and rather than call myself a vegetarian in a restaurant I just say I do not eat meat. In France I eat mussels and wonder what the writer whose criterion is not to eat anything with a face or a mother thinks of that! Eskimos wouldn’t survive very long on a veg diet!! As I have said before one doesn’t have to eat fish in order to be sociable but it certainly helps one to be sociable if one does eat fish. I think it is a shame that because a very small proportion of the public have an allergy to nuts, the rest of us are being denied nut roasts etc. I would like to know if nut allergies are caused by peanuts and cachews (which are not real nuts ) what about walnuts, pecans, macadamias, almonds, pine nuts – they are all so different, have they been analysed? ~Janet.
Going vegetarian is a lifestyle choice - eating meat is a lifestyle choice - eating only fish in combination with a vegetarian diet. All are lifestyle choices. I personally do not eat anything I know has gellatin in. But I do eat fish. I saw on the news a spokesperson from this society quite snappily declare to a newsreader that people who eat fish aren't vegetarian. I was quite offended, I have had to deal my entire life with being as vegetarian as the next one of you (I was raised in such a way). I understand the issue to a certain extent but I think the essentially aggressive nature of this anti fish campaign and way of isolating people is rather shameful. Surely as its all a lifestyle choice people should be welcome. Ever thought about creating a division of pescetarian (as my friends often call me)? ~ Pescatarian-non-sectarian-veggie
No you don’t have to eat fish to be sociable but you do have to be sociable in order to eat fish! ~Janet
Janet, I agree with Dan on this, I can't see where there is any need to kill an animal or fish to be sociable, I have often said that I can't understand how when people have something to celebrate they will happily sit down and eat an animal that has lost it's life, that animal has nothing to celebrate that's for sure. In the same way I can't see why eating flesh makes one sociable...and not eating flesh makes us holier-than-thou, surely it's the person and not the plate that we socialise with. I wouldn't say a word to anyone eating meat or fish in my presence in a cafe or restaurant, their conscience is their own business. But no one would ever be served flesh in my home. ~ Barbara Bates
Sorry Janet, but you don't need to "eat a beautifully cooked fish" to be sociable, and this doesn't mean you're being "holier than thou". I'll quite happily sit there whilst my friends eat fish/meat and there'll be no discussion on what we're eating - we're just enjoying a social event - fish or no fish! ~ Dan
What living creature doesn’t suffer at the point of death? Some people would not wear silk because the silk worm cocoons are gassed in the production of the thread. It is easy to find suffering however minimal and make it a reason to argue. At that level the debate does more to put people off being compassionate. The fight to stop dragnets and factory farmed fish is far more deserving of our energies. Fish are cold blooded and surely their suffering is minimal compared to years of cruelty in the production of animals. Waste is despicable and a recent survey tells us that a third of all food is wasted! Vegetarians drinking milk are the cause of far more suffering to cows whose calves are taken from them within days of birth and who are pregnant again too soon. I would say celebrate life by enjoying a beautifully cooked fish every now and then so that one can eat out in a restaurant and be sociable (all important) instead of being holier than thou. ~ Janet
Cara, I don't think you should be too hard upon yourself, you have obviously tried to do without taking fish oil products to the detriment of your health and although you're feeling bad about taking it again on moral grounds my idea is that if you don't look after your own health, you won't be in a position to care for or campaign for animal welfare or to promote a vegetarian diet. Depression is a terrible thing and it would be wrong to deliberately make yourself ill when you know what it is that keeps you well. Those fish are dead anyway, probably a long time ago now, maybe they won't have died quite in vain if they can make, and keep, you well to work for veggie-ism! Good Luck, I hope you stay well. ~ Barbara Bates
I don't eat fish, but I do swallow high doses of fish oils daily. I was a strict vegetarian for 8 months before I started taking fish oils again, and although I keep the rest of my diet as a strict vegetarian would, I no longer class myself as vegetarian. My reasons behind this; All my life I've suffered with incredibly low Serotonin levels, even SSRI's could not help. I suffered from such bad depression, I got confused easily, my energy was virtually non-existent, and I suffered from frequent panic attacks and manic episodes. When I was 16 a doctor put me on very high doses of fish oils, and 8 months later my life had turned around. When I became vegetarian I switched the fish oils for Flaxseed and Algae supplements as well as eating omega seed mixes and other such things in my diet. 3 months later I started getting severe panic attacks again. It didn't click at first, because my diet was so perfect I didn't link it to being vegetarian. Over the next 5 months the panic attacks became more severe, my energy drained, and I started suffering from severe depression again, until I felt so horrible and confused I could no longer take it. After researching Algae and Flaxseed and discovering that most of the research on it's effectiveness at providing the essential fatty acids was conflicting I realised it must be the cause, so I started taking the high levels of fish oils again. It's only been a few weeks but my mood has already dramatically picked up, along with my energy levels and concentration. I was upset about taking the fish oils, and I still am, but I daren't risk the alternatives.. I'm so torn between my health and my morals. I think more money needs to be invested in getting some conclusive research about the effectiveness of fish-free Omega 3 alternatives. - Cara
This is my second contribution to the great fish debate: I agree with all that has been said on the subject of fish eating so called vegetarians since my last post, the other evening a neighbour who knows we are a vegetarian household knocked on our door and offered us a whole fish that had been given to him and which he didn't want. It had been in someone's freezer but was now defrosted and he was desperate for someone to take it. I reminded him we are veggies and he replied that he knew that but that some vegetarians eat fish.....I told him that in that case they weren't vegetarians. My point is that that fish had lost it's life for absolutely nothing, no one wanted to eat it and it was just an embarrasment to him trying to get rid of it. I didn't even want it for our cats, they eat meat and fish of course but not boney fresh fish like that. If people feel they have to go fishing and kill their catch why do they kill and keep more than they can eat? ~ Barbara Bates
Express yourself! - Think tank gets creative
Older comments have been moved to an archive page - click here if you would like to read them!

back to main fish index page