Why don't vegans eat fish?

Created on: April 1, 2026
Last edited on: April 1, 2026

Vegans don't eat fish because fish are sentient and experience stress, pain, and injury during capture. Angling and fishing significantly interfere with the lives of these animals and can have serious consequences for them.

For many, fish is considered a "light" alternative to meat, and angling is often seen as a relaxing hobby. However, a closer look reveals that fish consumption and angling are not as harmless as they might seem.

 

Do fish feel pain?

A common argument is: "Fish don't feel anything." However, according to current research, this is not sustainable. Fish have a nervous system and pain receptors. They avoid places where they have had negative experiences and seek out places where they have had positive experiences. This shows that fish can feel a level of pain that requires ethical consideration.

When a fish is caught on a hook or in a net, it doesn't just experience "stimuli," but pain and stress. The distinction many people make in their minds is primarily psychological - because we don't hear fish scream or read their facial expressions, we underestimate their sensations. Fish live underwater, far from our daily lives. This often leads to them being morally judged differently than land animals - although the fundamental biological mechanisms are comparable.

➡️ You can read more about the scientific consensus on "Can fish feel pain?" here.

 

What's the problem with angling?

Angling is often romanticized - sunset by the lake, peace, relaxation. The fish's perspective is completely different. This applies regardless of whether the fish is ultimately killed and eaten or released.

Angling for consumption

Let's put ourselves in the fish's shoes for a moment: As it swims around, it discovers a delicious snack - the bait. Just as it's about to grab it, a sharp hook suddenly pierces its mouth or other body parts. Depending on the method and handling, injuries, bleeding, or stress can occur.

Catch and release

This term describes a practice where a caught fish is released alive back into the water after the hook is removed. What many don't know is that, depending on the conditions, some of these fish may later die from injuries, infections, or severe stress. Catch and release angling is often practiced to take trophy photos with the caught fish. Fish have delicate mucous membranes that can be damaged when touched. This further increases the likelihood of disease and death.

Large-scale fishing 

The extent of human cruelty towards aquatic creatures is evident in commercial fishing. Here, fish are often caught in large nets, where they are compressed for long periods, injure each other, and suffer from lack of oxygen and extreme stress. When the nets are hauled in, pressure changes occur, which can cause internal damage.

Many fish intended for human consumption also do not live freely in the sea but in so-called aquaculture farms. Reproduction in aquaculture is often controlled by humans: Female fish are “stripped” by applying pressure to their abdomen so that their eggs are released, while in male fish, sperm is obtained through similar pressure. Both are then intentionally combined, so fertilization takes place outside the body, and the eggs are further developed in controlled breeding systems. The resulting fish live in high stocking densities, which promotes stress, diseases, and injuries. Fish in aquaculture are usually raised within about 1 to 3 years and then slaughtered.

Aquaculture

The sheer scale on which fish are annihilated in commercial fishing is almost incomprehensible. Estimates suggest that globally, approximately 1 to 2 trillion (= 1,000 to 2,000 billion) fish are killed annually for human consumption, with the exact number difficult to determine as fish are usually recorded by weight rather than individually. Animals that are not intended to be caught - including dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds - also perish in the nets.

Note: Eating fish and fishing can also be criticized from an environmental perspective - however, living vegan is about avoiding animal abuse. Therefore, we focus on this aspect here. For the environment, it probably doesn't matter if someone catches and eats one fish a month - nor for health. But for the fish, it matters a great deal. That is why we choose veganism.

 

Is fish healthy?

Fish is often portrayed as healthy, especially due to omega-3. This assumption is generally true but falls short. After all, we must consider food as a whole, not just in terms of individual nutrients. Many fish species, especially marine fish, contain mercury or microplastics. These substances can potentially accumulate in the human body. This means that even if we disregard the animal ethics point, it must be acknowledged that the health benefits must also be viewed in tension with potential risks.

And there are vegan alternatives: Globally established health organizations confirm that (provided B12 is supplemented) a nutritionally adequate and healthy vegan diet is possible. Theoretically, omega-3 can be covered by vegan sources. We recommend supplementing with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, as plant-based diets primarily provide ALA - a precursor to EPA and DHA that can only be converted to a limited extent in the body.
Are you critical? ➡️ FAQ: Are supplements harmful?

 

Conclusion - Why don't vegans eat fish?

Eating fish is not a neutral decision. Fish are sentient beings with an interest in living. Pulling a fish out of the water means acute oxygen deprivation and fear of death for it - comparable to holding a dog underwater so it cannot breathe.
Those who eat fish degrade them to commodities and food. Angling is also not a harmless hobby, but an intervention that can have severe consequences for the animal - even if it is released.

Anyone who informs themselves thoroughly quickly realizes: Fish consumption and angling deserve a much more critical examination than they often receive in everyday life. You can learn more about WHY VEGAN in relation to fish in the Dominion documentary (from 1:22:00). We show you how to align your actions with your values and live vegan on HOW VEGAN 🤝

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