PETA Applies To Take Ownership of Penfield Reef Lighthouse; Seeks National HQ For Its Fish Empathy Project

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Press Release:

For Immediate Release:
July 19, 2007

Contact:
Matt Prescott 757-622-7382

Norfolk, Va. - Yesterday, PETA sent a letter to Saundra A. Robbins of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) expressing interest in acquiring the Penfield Reef Lighthouse located in Black Rock Harbor offshore of Fairfield Beach and Bridgeport which the group plans to convert into the national headquarters of its Fish Empathy Project. Wednesday was the final day that the GSA would consider applications by nonprofit organizations and other qualified entities to take ownership of the 51-foot-high granite-and-wood landmark free of charge under the Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

The Fish Empathy Project aims to inform people that fish are intelligent, intriguing animals who feel pain just as all animals do and that they don’t deserve to be violently killed for food, painfully hooked for “sport,” or cruelly confined to aquariums. If PETA is awarded ownership of the lighthouse, renovations would include interactive educational displays, an exhibit of its 300-square-foot Fish Empathy Quilt, which consists of 100 artful squares conveying the importance of showing compassion to fish, and a cafe that serves faux fish sticks and other delicious vegan “seafood.”

“For more than a century, the Penfield Reef Lighthouse has helped protect those at sea, so we can’t think of a better way to honor its legacy than to use it to help protect fish and other aquatic animals,” says PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich. “Harming these fascinating animals is every bit as unacceptable as abusing cats, dogs, or any other animals.”
For more information, please visit PETA’s Web site FishingHurts.com

PETA’s letter to the GSA follows.

July 18, 2007

Saundra A. Robbins
GSA, Property Disposal Division

1 page via fax: 617-565-5720
Dear Ms. Robbins,

On behalf of PETA and our more than 1.6 million members and supporters worldwide, I would like to express PETA’s interest in taking ownership of Connecticut’s Penfield Reef Lighthouse, in accordance with the recent offer of the lighthouse at no charge to a nonprofit or other eligible entity, under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. PETA recently launched our Fish Empathy Project, with the purpose of increasing society’s respect and compassion for sea animals. The Penfield Reef Lighthouse would be a perfect location for the project’s headquarters.
‘”Why is PETA campaigning for fish?” you may ask. 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. Fish are capable of using tools, and they 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 are sensitive, they have personalities, they hurt when they’re wounded.”‘

‘If given ownership of the Penfield Reef Lighthouse, PETA would install interactive educational displays to help the public learn more about fish and why they should not be abused. The lighthouse would also be a 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 cruelly killed each year for “sport” and so that humans can eat their flesh. Finally, we would open a cafe at the lighthouse serving faux fish sticks and other animal-friendly fare.

Thank you for your consideration of PETA as a recipient of the Penfield Reef Lighthouse.

Sincerely,

Matt Prescott, Manager
Vegan Campaigns

I do not see how this has anything to do with preserving and educating the public, as is charged in the transfer of ownership of historic lighthouses. While I’m not averse to creative uses for a lighthouse, this is just so wrong.

Here’s the link to the first post on this lighthouse.

Opinions anyone? Leave your comments below.

Keep up with Lighthouse News. Get articles by Email or in a Reader.