Faux Fish Cafes Planned

Once again, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has turned its attention to our historic beacons. The recent release of the 2009 list of lighthouses available to non-profits under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act has caused them to throw out their lines once again. As of this writing, none of the lighthouses yet have a fact sheet available from the National Park Service. And just like before, the plans are to use the lighthouses (yes, lighthouses) as a place to protest fishing and the eating of fish. Because after all, according to them, fish have feelings, are intelligent enough to gossip and can even use tools.

Now, please don’t get me wrong. This post is not meant to bash vegans. What anyone eats is one’s own business. The vegan diet is extremely healthy, if properly done. And PETA certainly has the right to freedom of speech just like the rest of us, but please, just don’t do it at our lighthouses. And yes, I say lighthouses, because they’re targeting each one on the list.

So far, PETA’s Sarah King sent a generic letter to the acting director of the National Park Service, the contents of which follow, angling (so far) for the Grand Haven Lighthouse (MI) and the Kewaunee Breakwater Lighthouse (WI). Please note I removed the individual lighthouses for sarcastic purpses, since this is their generic letter used in the past, and used again for the latest ones. Bolded areas were done by me.

On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 2 million members and supporters, I am writing to formally express PETA’s interest in taking ownership of INSERT LIGHTHOUSE NAME HERE in INSERT PLACE NAME HERE, in accordance with the recent announcement that the lighthouse will be made available at no cost to a nonprofit or other eligible entity under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. If we are granted the lighthouse, we will turn it into the headquarters for our Fish Empathy Project, which aims to increase respect and compassion for sea animals.

There is a mountain of evidence that fish suffer enormously when dragged from their homes in large fishing nets or impaled with metal hooks by anglers. Dr. Donald Broom, a scientific advisor to the British government, said, “The scientific literature is quite clear. Anatomically, physiologically and biologically, the pain system in fish is virtually the same as in birds and mammals.” Biologists have found that fish develop relationships with other fish and show affection by gently rubbing against one another. Fish have individual personalities, talk to each other, and grieve when their companions die. Some fish are capable of using tools, while others gather information by eavesdropping. Dr. Sylvia Earle, the world’s leading marine biologist, said, “I wouldn’t deliberately eat a grouper any more than I’d eat a cocker spaniel. They’re so good-natured, so curious. You know, fish really are sensitive, they have personalities, they hurt when they’re wounded.”

If given ownership of the INSERT LIGHTHOUSE HERE Lighthouse, PETA would install interactive educational displays to help the public learn more about fish and why they should never be eaten or tormented for “sport” (i.e., fishing). The lighthouse would also be the perfect location to display the world’s first “fish empathy quilt,” a 300-square-foot quilt made by PETA volunteers that pays tribute to the billions of fish needlessly killed for their flesh or abused by anglers. We will open a café at the lighthouse serving faux fish sticks and other tasty vegetarian dishes. And every visitor 12 and under will be given a free plush toy fish emblazoned with the tagline “Fish Are Friends, Not Food!”

Please contact me as soon as the formal vetting process has begun. Thank you for your consideration.

Just Another Publicity Stunt

As before, this generates a lot of publicity for them, so I’m certainly not going to take their efforts seriously. Unfortunately, other newspapers have, as my news alerts have been filled with various stories. Once again, while I’m in favor of the lighthouses being saved and used for educational purposes, they must not be used to promote an agenda. And also, again, I’m not maligning vegans in any way. Although my personal way of loving a fish is exemplified by the young man in the photo to the left, I respect everyone’s choice of diet. As everyone else should respect mine.

But on the other hand, if PETA’s actions call attention to the plight of our Coast Guard’s unwanted lighthouses, this might just be a good thing. Perhaps a group that is legitimately interested in preserving our maritime heritage will step forward as real stewards of out beacons. So maybe some good does come out of this after all, since PETA, while making a lot of noise periodically about their Fish Empathy project, always backs out.

And as suspected would happen, PETA has widened its net for a lighthouse. They’ve now sent a letter (same one as above, just the different name) to the NPS to acquire Robbins Reef Lighthouse in New Jersey. And the newspapers keep playing into their hands.  Which one is next? Minots Ledge perhaps? I have a feeling most of the available lighthouses will have a letter faxed to the NPS about acquiring them.

If you’re interested in reading the past PETA stories here is a link to the search results. And a big thank you to Liako and Mitikusa, the photographers credited below for having the perfect photos on Flickr.

Photo Credit:s

• Elias Fish Kiss by Liako. Some rights reserved.
• Kiss To a Fish by Mitikusa. Some rights reserved.

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