When I first ever started fishing I pulled out a mirror carp. I was struggling to remove the hook and I could swear blind I heard a high pitched squeal coming from the fish. I asked my best mate/fishing companion if fish can scream and he laughed and said no. Ever since I have been pondering the question of do fish feel pain and have been looking into it.
Wikipedia have some interesting information on the subject here...
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_in_fish"]Pain in fish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
Whilst an article from this year from the dailyfail seems to paint another picture....
Anglers finally off the hook as scientists settle age-old debate over whether fish feel pain | Mail Online
At the end of the day I suppose its a very hard thing to prove either way and to what extent they may suffer (if at all) and without going deeply philosophical I do think that all living things do react to stimuli in their own way.
I think from all the studying I have done for me personally I will err on the cautious side and whilst I don't want to make anything "suffer" without reason, it just gives me more respect in the care and handling I do give the fish when I pull them out.
Wikipedia have some interesting information on the subject here...
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_in_fish"]Pain in fish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
Whilst an article from this year from the dailyfail seems to paint another picture....
Anglers finally off the hook as scientists settle age-old debate over whether fish feel pain | Mail Online
At the end of the day I suppose its a very hard thing to prove either way and to what extent they may suffer (if at all) and without going deeply philosophical I do think that all living things do react to stimuli in their own way.
I think from all the studying I have done for me personally I will err on the cautious side and whilst I don't want to make anything "suffer" without reason, it just gives me more respect in the care and handling I do give the fish when I pull them out.