The evidence that fish experience pain has strengthened significantly over the past two decades, with implications for how billions of fish are treated in fisheries and aquaculture.
The scientific case that fish are capable of experiencing pain has moved from controversial hypothesis to scientific mainstream over the past two decades. While certainty remains elusive given fundamental differences in nervous system architecture, the evidence for fish nociception and pain-like states is now sufficient to warrant the precautionary principle. Treating fish as if they cannot feel pain — in fisheries, aquaculture, research and recreational fishing — is increasingly difficult to justify scientifically or ethically.