*Fishing may not seem like such a relaxing sport anymore, as scientists claim to have found that fish feel pain, just like humans … One researcher believes fish have the same intelligence as other animals and consequently, people should care more for their welfare.  Flying in the face of what is considered popular opinion, he added that fish have good memories and exhibit many behaviors seen in primates — such as building complicated structures like specially-shaped sandcastles, as well as using tools.  Associate Professor Culum Brown (of Macquarie University in Australia) noted that fish have very good memories, live in complex social communities where they learn from each other and keep track of one another; even developing practices akin to cultural traditions.  And in 2003, scientists from Edinburgh documented the first conclusive evidence that fish consciously perceive pain, suffer while experiencing pain, and obviously avoid encountering additional pain thereafter.

Filed under: Sanctifying Sentience by Scaughdt