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Updated Jun 10, 2009 - 1:01 pm

PETA targets Seattle tradition: Pike Place fish throwers

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By ERIN COVEY
KIRO Radio

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PETA has taken a stand against one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seattle - the fish market at the Pike Place Market that tosses salmon.

PETA spokesman David Shirk says you would never see a mammal being tossed around, so why is it ok for a fish? "The fact that it's ok to do it with fish is kind of inconsistent." he said.

PETA heard that the American Veterinary Medical Association planned a Pike Place Fish Market demonstration at next month's convention at the convention center.

PETA sent a letter to the association saying people who care about animals are appalled fish would be treated as toys. PETA believes veterinarians should show compassion.

"We're asking them to not engage in this pretty absurd fish toss," Shirk said, "and if they are bent on still doing it, PETA has offered to buy rubber fish for them to use instead."

On the Dave Ross show Ron DeHaven, Vice President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said they are looking at their options when it comes to the traditional fish throwing portion of the convention. DeHaven said that they may use artificial fish as PETA has suggested, although no decision has yet been made.

"I think we (veterinarians), as a profession, need to be sensitive. We don't want to be disrespectful to any animals." DeHaven said.

But he also acknowledged the perils of giving into PETA's demands, "I suspect if we were to go to rubber fish that we would be criticized by many of our members for catering to this, what some would consider, unrealistic pressure from PETA."

An assistant manager at the Pike Place Fish Market, Justin Hall, says workers there respect fish because it's their livelihood and they take pride in having the best seafood.

Taho Kakutani has been tossing fish for four years, he says potential customers get into the tossing and the shouting, so they're sticking with it, but he added "I have nothing against PETA... really they're in support of life and really how can you, ultimately, disagree with them."


Comments (60)
  • Add A Comment

  • Realist wrote...
    Get a Life Peta
    I Personally Enjoy Eating Tasty Animals.
  • JadeFrog wrote...
    Hey Now...
    They're not being treated like toys. They're being treated like dinner.
  • FircIsland commuter wrote...
    Nothing Better To Do...
    I'm not sure if PETA knows this or not...but there dead.
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Wait 'til they see...
    ...what they do with lobsters.
  • nortac wrote...
    Veterinarians should show compassion.
    True they should and when my dog passed away last month my veterinarian was as compassionate as it was possible to be. PETA loves to really stretch sometimes to get their message out and this time it must be a record.
  • RentonS teve wrote...
    PETA needs a project
    PETA, concentrate on living animals...not seafood
  • boyerbl wrote...
    PETA is heading north to Alaska.
    PETA is heading north to Alaska. PETA will be protesting next month in Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park. They will protest the way Alaskan Grizzly Bears gather in and around the Brooks River to fish for salmon. "It isn't fair to the poor salmon the way the bears rip and tear at their flesh" PETA will be freeing the salmon from the bears grasp and by entering the water to block the Alaskan Grizzly access to the fishing grounds.
  • GloScot wrote...
    Buy A PETA Member Dinner
    I would like to be at the fish market when these knuckleheads are there and buy a fish, cook it and give it to them for dinner. One bite, guaranteed, they won't go back to being vegan. By the way, do people take fish to vets? Likely not. So, why would vets care?
  • PrincessC wrote...
    The veterinarians I know. . .
    Are too busy restoring health to their live patients to spend a lot of energy on how "respectfully" someone's dinner is handled. Perhaps PETA expects them to all wear black armbands to the fish tossing? Hee.
  • ralphcramden wrote...
    PETA just wants us to be as miserable as they are
    People Eating Tasty Animals


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