Group's Commemorative Brick Directs Fans to FishingHurts.com
For Immediate Release:
April 4, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Miami — What could be better than for a ballpark named after fish to promote kindness to those animals—albeit unwittingly? That's exactly what occurred to PETA after the Miami Marlins decided to offer commemorative bricks for sale and permanent display—with an inscription—in the East Plaza of brand-new Marlins Park. So, just in time for the ballpark's big grand opening today, PETA is announcing that Marlins Park is now home to a brick reading, "Florida Is Still Hosting Incredible Night Games. Help Us Reach The Stars. Cheer Our Marlins!"—the initial letter of each word spells out "FishingHurts.com."
"PETA's brick is designed to remind everyone that fish feel pain and suffer when they're impaled with a sharp metal hook and pulled into an environment in which they can't breathe," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Instead of hooking fish, PETA wants Marlins fans to get hooked on compassion—and bench fishing permanently."
Fish are intelligent, sensitive animals who feel pain. Fish who are caught and released often die from their injuries. The journal Fish and Fisheries cited more than 500 research papers on fish intelligence demonstrating that fish are smart, that some can use tools, and that they have impressive long-term memories and sophisticated social structures.
PETA's rendition of the brick can be viewed here. For more information, please visit PETA.org.