We catch 3 trillion tonnes of fish a year; they are vital to our diets and economies. But do we ever ask if fish have feelings? It’s now an inconvenient truth that science reveals fish to be social, intelligent, problem solving, good parents and capable of emotional distress and feeling pain. Fish were the first animals to have backbones, and in fact we all evolved from them; perhaps it’s time to revisit our ancestors and get to know them a little better. They are stunning, diverse and full of surprises, with tender and highly developed family lives. Some can even breathe out of the water – just like us! One thing’s for sure, fish are well worth our time to learn about and explore. Can we find a nicer way to share our world with theirs? We need to take care of our aquatic friends and keep the waters full of fantastic fish!
