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We ask for the ban of live-bait fishing within the EU as well as the breeding, transport and commercialisation of fish used for live bait.
Live-bait fishing is used in both commercial and recreational fishing. It consists in using a live vertebrate animal as bait, most commonly a fish. The fisherman pierces its back or mouth with a hook and then casts it into the water in order to attract a carnivorous fish. The fish used as bait is kept impaled, alive and exposed to predators for several minutes or even several hours. There is scientific consensus on the fact that fish have the ability to feel pain and emotions such as fear.
The ordeal of the fish used as live bait also begins long before the actual fishing as they can be kept in very poor conditions by the shops that sell them or by the fishermen themselves.
In addition to ethical arguments relating to animal suffering, there are also environmental issues. Indeed, fishing with live bait creates the risk of introducing and spreading invasive species, as well as the risk of transmitting diseases to wild fish.
In France, several towns, including Paris, have adopted a position in favour of banning recreational live-bait fishing. A European resolution aiming to ban commercial live-bait fishing has been adopted by the French parliament. Moreover, several European member states have already banned this fishing technique.
The ordeal of the fish used as live bait also begins long before the actual fishing as they can be kept in very poor conditions by the shops that sell them or by the fishermen themselves.
In addition to ethical arguments relating to animal suffering, there are also environmental issues. Indeed, fishing with live bait creates the risk of introducing and spreading invasive species, as well as the risk of transmitting diseases to wild fish.
In France, several towns, including Paris, have adopted a position in favour of banning recreational live-bait fishing. A European resolution aiming to ban commercial live-bait fishing has been adopted by the French parliament. Moreover, several European member states have already banned this fishing technique.
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