WANTONLY CRUEL? IS SWORDFISHING

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1936, Page 6

WANTONLY CRUEL? IS SWORDFISHING

S.P.C.A. Allegation Annoys Zane Grey

(Received 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

it was shown that swordfish had practically nc nerves, and did not suffer agony as human beings understood it.

piSHERMEN ARE PERTURBED OVER THE ATTITUDE OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TOWARD BIG-GAME FISHING.

“I would like to point out,” he added, “that in America we sell swordfish, but you don’t in Australia and New Zealand. although they are good eating, and you should have a market for good food.

Mr S. Lord, secretary of the society, says that it regarded it as a wantonly cruel sport, which served no purpose ether than to give fishermen thrills and pleasure.

Zane Grey’s manager, Mr Bowen, is investigating the exact legal position, but Mr Grey infers that even if he is within the law in his fishing activities he will not remain here under allegations of cruelty.

Mr R. C. Roughley, economic zoologist, said he did not think there was any doubt that fish did feel pain, but that they were not nearly so sensitive to pain as human beings.

Zant Grey, according to the “Daily Telegraph’s” Bermagui correspondent, said that if he could not fish, in peace in Australia he would go elsewhere. The question cruelty had been thrashed out in America years ago, and