PETA campaign targets Minnesota fishing

[OLETOM]

When will PETA stop?? Looks like they are after the State of Minnesota for allowing fishing in State Parks...See attached link.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/3peta.php

[Bob G2]

Jeez, doesn't know how to respond? Sounds like he needs to see a copy of Ringling Bros. response to PETA attacks. Their major weakness is 1) their hypocritical stances 2) what do they really do for the enviroment in terms of restoration projects, preserves, etc. Think these people are good at pi$$ing people off and seems like they are starting to attack everyone. Also, I have even started hearing that the younger generation is starting to look at them as uncool.

[Dave in Mpls]

Here is the actual letter which was written:

From the New England Sportsman Network Web January 15, 2002

William Morrissey, Director Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Mr. Morrissey:

On behalf of PETA’s more than 750,000 members and supporters, as well as thefish, birds, and other animals that make Minnesota state parks their home, we respectfully request that fishing be banned in all Minnesota state parks. According to an article in U.S. News & World Report ("Parks in Peril," July 21, 1997), the park system is bending under the pressure of encroachment, underfunding, overcrowding, and pollution. Eliminating fishing and its harmful effects would take some of this pressure off of the parks and their inhabitants. The violent process of fishing and its consequences do not complement the peace and tranquility of a state park. As you know, fish have a neurochemical system like ours and thus the brain capacity to experience fear and pain. Fish who are torn from the water suffer from being impaled, thrown, stepped on, or mutilated while alive. Many die slowly and painfully from suffocation. Fishing has other victims, too: In one case among many, a young bald eagle was found by the National Park Service, near death because of injuries to his feet caused by fishing line that had cut through his flesh, resulting in a systemic infection and intense suffering. He required intensive daily care for three months before he was successfully released. Not all animals are as lucky. Millions of birds and other animals suffer, and many die, from injuries caused by discarded fishing hooks, monofilament line, lead weights, and floats. Animals who become entangled in fishing line are often trapped underwater and drown or, unable to feed, die slowly of starvation. In fact, many wildlife rehabilitators tell us that fishing litter is the single greatest cause of injuries to aquatic animals. Minnesota state parks have traditionally made the compassionate choice to ban hunting, and we are asking you to take the next step. Fishing is just hunting in the water. The tide is turning on sportfishing with the widespread recognition of the sentience of fish and the desire to live a more compassionate, less harmful life. After reading the enclosed materials, we hope you will make the decision to ban fishing in Minnesota state parks and turn them into true havens for all. Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.

[Hunter]

Get some e-mail addresses up of the people this letter was sent too, and put it on every fishing/hunting website you can! They have 750,000 members, time to send them 7,500 000 email's from hunters/fisherman!!!! It works Jeep pulled they're add!!!!