Oceans Away from Home: The Suffering of Fish in Captivity (2023)
Fish represent some of the most overlooked and neglected species in terms of basic animal husbandry and welfare yet remain some of the most popular animals held captive in the world. Almost all captive facilities that keep fish completely ignore that these animals are individuals, are sentient, possess naturally evolved biological needs, and require the opportunity to engage in species-specific behaviors, which are essential to living a healthy, meaningful, and gratifying life for any living creature.
Oceans Away from Home: The Suffering of Fish in Captivity summarizes the reasoning behind this disproportionate lack of value associated with fish compared to other animals; overviews the harmful effects of wild fish population depletion to supply the demand for the private fish trade; analyzes the gross shortcomings of zoos in protecting fish welfare and conservation; confirms fish sentience by providing evidence for complex social and neurological processes similar to mammals, and therefore a similar capacity to experience suffering and pain; and argues for a more compassionate and comprehensive protection of the tens of thousands of unmonitored fish species that fall victim to the exploitation-driven private fish trade every day.
To prevent irreversible wild population depletion and end the cycle of unnecessary suffering for fish in captivity, we urge zoos to immediately halt the wild capture of fish from their natural habitats to stock collections and implore zoos to ban touch tanks from aquariums. Lastly, we advocate that fish are included in the definition of “animals” in both state and federal animal cruelty legislation based on the scientific evidence summarized in the following report.
Tell the AZA: Ban Touch Tanks!
Touch tanks at zoos and aquariums are bad for animal welfare and overall safety, and fail to educate the public or aid in wildlife conservation in any meaningful way.
Add your name to our petition calling on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to ban touch tanks at all member facilities!
SIGN THE PETITIONShare the Report
Help spread the word about the suffering of fish by sharing Oceans Away from Home on social media!
Fish are some of the most neglected species in terms of #animalwelfare, legal protection, and public awareness. Yet, they are also among the most common captive #animals. Dive into the world of #fish captivity in @BornFreeUSA’s report, #OceansAwayFromHome. bit.ly/oceansawayfromhome
Fish are some of the most neglected species in terms of animal welfare, legal protection, and public awareness. Yet, they are also among the most common captive animals. Dive into the world of fish captivity in Born Free USA’s report, “Oceans Away from Home.” #OceansAwayFromHome bit.ly/oceansawayfromhome
Fish are some of the most neglected species in terms of animal welfare, legal protection, and public awareness. Yet, they are also among the most common captive animals. Dive into the world of fish captivity in @bornfreeusaorg’s report, “Oceans Away from Home.” #OceansAwayFromHome
Adopt a Ray!
Your adoption gift will support Born Free USA's work to campaign for stronger international protections for ray species at CITES, deliver specialized training and enforcement support to officials protecting rays from illegal wildlife trade, and raise awareness of the suffering of rays in captivity through reports and investigations. For only $1 a week or $5 a month, you can create a brighter future for these animals.
In addition to knowing you are protecting this species, you will receive an adoption package that includes an adoption certificate, a species information sheet, a photo of a ray in the wild, and updates about our campaigns work. These adoptions also make great gifts!
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