Neurobiologists are questioning the morality of sport fishing, including catch and release fishing, arguing that fish can feel and acknowledge as much pain as most mammals - though some claim they have a lower grade of sensory perception and are fairly dumb.
Researcher Culum Brown of Macquarie University in Australia battles these claims in the scientific journal Animal Cognition, arguing that despite their odd behavior and expressionless faces, fish are relatively intelligent creatures, capable of feeling pain and comprehending situations as much as many mammals that approach their various sizes.
Knowing this, Brown argues that more consideration should be given to fish welfare and anti-cruelty measures.
"Although scientists cannot provide a definitive answer on the level of consciousness for any non-human vertebrate, the extensive evidence of fish behavioral and cognitive sophistication and pain perception suggests that best practice would be to lend fish the same level of protection as any other vertebrate," Brown writes.
The neural system of most boned fish is as elaborate and efficient as mammals, indicating that they at least are very capable of experiencing the same level of pain most mammals feel - say when a hook pierces their mouth.
Brown also focused on fish social behavior, observing complex communities and even hints of individual recognition, hinting that the seemingly dumb animals may in fact have powerful memories, and are capable of learning and keeping track of complex societal cues.
Though, he admits that if the world at large were to acknowledge fish intelligence and include them in the animal "moral circle," it would mean trouble for the fishing industry.
Still, he writes, the world can afford to give fish the "protection they deserve."
The paper was published in Animal Cognition and detailed in a Springer Journals release on June 17.