Live-baiting show was unacceptable
THE first programme in the ITV series River Monsters featured presenter Jeremy Wade hell-bent on catching a Goliath Tiger Fish on the Congo River.
The cruelty and suffering involved in this programme was appalling – not only for the individual fish, but at a time when so many animals in the wild are under the threat of extinction, its disregard for life was blatant.
Wade live-baited his rod with catfish. Many of these were eaten alive stuck on inescapable fish-hooks, while others gasped for life as he reeled them in having first been ripped apart by predator fish. Live-baiting is considered unacceptable by seasoned fishermen and condemned by angling clubs.
The Goliath Tiger Fish, when finally caught, suffered and died slowly; while Wade made excuses for killing this rare, beautiful and unique animal.
This ranks alongside the ITV programme 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here', where innocent mammals, reptiles and insects are frequently killed.
ITV should review its use of animals in the context of entertainment.
The current approach is poor quality television.
Dene Stansall
Animal Aid
Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent
5 Comments
by Norman Bryant, west sussex
Wednesday, November 10 2010, 10:10AM
“Although I am not opposed to fishing I do disagree that fish do not feel pain as they do, eating fish is quite a healthy meal unles it is covered in batter, we can not all or even want to be vegitarians and unles one can provide a better way of catching fish then this way will continue, no one was forced to watch the program, I found it very interesting and look forward to seeing more episodes.”
by Mr Singh, Moretonhampstead
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 2:45PM
“This is racist!”
by SARAH PIKE, RD&E Exeter
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 1:58PM
“The film made me sick,
They should ban fishing.”
by shane, ALPHINGTON
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 11:51AM
“Dene
........ Me thinks you are confused
the Tiger fish was eatern by the hungary villagers. And fish are not animala and dont feel pain.
Pioter is right fish and birds put on earth to be ate.”
by PIOTER POLOWSKI, Exeter
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 11:36AM
“Get real
how do you think i catch my really big Pike dead-bait ? Spinner?
i use live-bait to catch my tasty Pike
not as nice as Carp though.”