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Journal article
Reasons to be skeptical about sentience and pain in fishes and aquatic invertebrates
Reviews in fisheries science & aquaculture, Vol.32(1), pp.127-150
2023
Abstract
The welfare of fishes and aquatic invertebrates is important, and several jurisdictions have included these taxa under welfare regulation in recent years. Regulation of welfare requires use of scientifically validated welfare criteria. This is why applying Mertonian skepticism toward claims for sentience and pain in fishes and aquatic invertebrates is scientifically sound and prudent, particularly when those claims are used to justify legislation regulating the welfare of these taxa. Enacting welfare legislation for these taxa without strong scientific evidence is a societal and political choice that risks creating scientific and interpretational problems as well as major policy challenges, including the potential to generate significant unintended consequences. In contrast, a more rigorous science-based approach to the welfare of aquatic organisms that is based on verified, validated and measurable endpoints is more likely to result in “win-win” scenarios that minimize the risk of unintended negative impacts for all stakeholders, including fish and aquatic invertebrates. The authors identify as supporters of animal welfare, and emphasize that this issue is not about choosing between welfare and no welfare for fish and aquatic invertebrates, but rather to ensure that important decisions about their welfare are based on scientifically robust evidence. These ten reasons are delivered in the spirit of organized skepticism to orient legislators, decision makers and the scientific community, and alert them to the need to maintain a high scientific evidential bar for any operational welfare indicators used for aquatic animals, particularly those mandated by legislation. Moving forward, maintaining the highest scientific standards is vitally important, in order to protect not only aquatic animal welfare, but also global food security and the welfare of humans.
Details
- Title
- Reasons to be skeptical about sentience and pain in fishes and aquatic invertebrates
- Authors/Creators
- Benjamin K. Diggles - DigsFish ServicesRobert Arlinghaus - Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland FisheriesHoward I. Browman - Norwegian Institute of Marine ResearchSteven J. Cooke - Carleton UniversityRobin L. Cooper - University of KentuckyIan G. Cowx - University of HullCharles D. Derby - Georgia State UniversityStuart W. Derbyshire - National University of SingaporePaul JB Hart - University of LeicesterBrian Jones - Murdoch University, College of Environmental and Life SciencesAlexander O. Kasumyan - Lomonosov Moscow State UniversityBrian Key - The University of QueenslandJulian G. Pepperell - Noosa HospitalD Christopher Rogers - University of KansasJames D. Rose - University of WyomingAlex SchwabAnne B. Skiftesvik - Norwegian Institute of Marine ResearchDon Stevens - University of Prince Edward IslandJeffrey D. Shields - William & MaryCraig Watson - University of Florida
- Publication Details
- Reviews in fisheries science & aquaculture, Vol.32(1), pp.127-150
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
- Identifiers
- 991005609153007891
- Copyright
- © 2023 the Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine; College of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Industry collaboration
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.659 Decapoda
- Web Of Science research areas
- Fisheries
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science