Go Fish Free

Friends Not Food.

For too long, fish have been relegated to the status of mere food items, their emotional lives and sentience ignored. However, scientific research has shown that fish are intelligent beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, and even joy. Just like the beloved pets we cherish, fish form complex social bonds and exhibit behaviors indicative of their emotional depth.

“The righteous person knows the soul of their animal.”

Proverbs 12:10

PESCATARIAN ISN’T ENOUGH

Many well-intentioned individuals turn to a pescatarian diet as a compromise, believing it to be a more ethical choice than consuming land animals. However, the truth is that the fishing industry negatively impacts the ocean, people, and planet.

FISH ARE SENTIENT*

It’s time to recognize fish for who they truly are: sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and suffering. Just as we wouldn’t want to cause harm to our furry or feathered friends, we should extend the same compassion to creatures of the sea. Choosing to abstain from consuming fish is a powerful way to honor their inherent worth and dignity.

IMPACT ON THE OCEAN*

The impact of commercial fishing extends far beyond the fish themselves. Bycatch, the unintentional capture of non-target species, leads to the deaths of millions of marine animals each year, including dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Furthermore, destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling devastate fragile seafloor habitats, disrupting entire ecosystems.

IMPACT ON HEALTH*

Despite their reputation as a healthy food choice, fish come with their own set of health risks. With increasing levels of pollution in our oceans, many fish are contaminated with toxins such as mercury, PCBs, and microplastics. These pollutants accumulate in the flesh of the fish and can pose serious health risks to humans, particularly pregnant women and young children.

Additionally, concerns about antibiotic use in fish farming and the presence of harmful pathogens have raised questions about the safety of consuming fish. From antibiotic-resistant bacteria to parasitic infections, consuming fish can sometimes lead to unexpected health consequences.

Moreover, the high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol found in certain species of fish can contribute to cardiovascular problems and other chronic diseases. As we strive to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families, it’s essential to consider the full spectrum of factors that impact the foods we consume.

IMPACT ON PEOPLE*

Information from New Roots Institute:

Health concerns aside, commercial fishing comes with exploitation and trafficking amongst the most vulnerable populations.

Overfishing is undeniably an environmental issue. But it is also a social justice issue and a threat to the treatment of the most ignored people and non-human animals on earth. The lack of transparency from seafood companies, our disconnect from the origins of our seafood, and the ability for these problems to be hidden at sea all play a role in minimal public awareness about fishing.

“The bottom line is that we tend to not eat animals that are “cute” to us. An arbitrary cow is less cute than the family dog or cat, so Americans choose to eat the cow. Most fish, though, we hardly relate to at all. They’re considered the least adorable, so we have few problems eating them. But is that how this should work? Our ethical choices should not be about what’s comfortable for us. They should be about what is right. And the growing evidence shows us that eating animals with certain human-like capacities isn’t the right thing to do.”
– Dr. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz

SWAP THE LOX

There are so many delicious plant based alternatives to fish. Here are some of our favorite Jewish vegan recipes feat. plant based fish alternatives!

Photo is from Rachel’s Vegan Lox recipe below

Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy