Humane Harvesting Initiative: the Influence of Humane Harvesting on Fish Quality, 2 Nutritional Value and Safety

1 Humane Harvesting Initiative: The Influence of Humane Harvesting on Fish Quality, 2 Nutritional Value and Safety 3 2012 estimates put the global production of fisheries and aquaculture at 158 mmt, with 91.3 mmt 4 of that amount credited to capture and fisheries (FAO, 2014). Recently, fish welfare has been 5 gaining interest from both consumers and the fisheries industry (producers) concerning the 6 production, processing, quality, shelf life and nutritional value (Poli et al., 2005). Technically, it 7 is difficult to define and measure the welfare of fish in fisheries. According to Spruijt et al. 8 (2001), welfare is defined as “the balance between positive and negative experiences or affective 9 states. The state of this balance may range from positive (good welfare) to negative (bad 10 welfare).” In the case of fisheries, good welfare means good production at the end of the fish’s 11 life, and is determined by the handling of two important processes: the pre-slaughter procedure 12 and the final slaughter method employed. If these two steps are conducted in bad conditions, fish 13 will experience stress which can strongly impact their quality and nutritional value. However, 14 there are instructions, rules and methods for terrestrial animal welfare and humane slaughtering, 15 even if they haven’t been effectively made available. 16 History of Animal Welfare in U.S.A. 17 The first attempts at humane slaughtering and improved animal welfare practices date back to the 18 late 1800s when several new organizations were established in the United States, many linked to 19 the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which was founded by Mary Ellen Wilson 20 in 1873. Four years later in 1877, representatives from 27 humane organizations in 10 states 21 gathered for a meeting that ultimately resulted in the founding of the American Humane 22 Association. Instantly, that association began to address inhumane treatment of farm animals. 23 The American Humane Association, now a national non-profit organization dedicated to 24 addressing the welfare of both children and animals, has continued the fight ever since. Its 25 mission is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect, and the exploitation of children and animals, and to 26 ensure that their interests and well-being are humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring 27 society. 28 - On October 9, 1877, the first national humane organization, the American Humane 29 Association, was established in Cleveland, Ohio by representatives from 10 states. The 30 primary aim was to guarantee humane treatment for farm animals and livestock. 1 31 - In 1894, the link between violence against animals and violence against people was first 32 identified. 33 - In 1898, under the pressure from the American Humane Association, Congress banned 34 the practice of vivisection in schools. 35 - In 1915, the American Humane Association initiated a movement called Be Kind to 36 Animals. It is still celebrated nationally during the first full week of May. 37 - In 1916, the American Humane Association was invited by the U.S. Secretary of War to 38 develop humane rules for Army animals similar to those the American Red Cross 39 employs in its treatment of soldiers. Hence, the American Red Star Animal Relief was 40 developed to rescue wounded animals in World War I. 41 - In 1920, the Red Star program initiated the rescue of animals caught in disasters, and 42 started fundraising to save and provide for thousands of elk in Yellowstone National 43 Park. 44 - In 1925, the American Humane Association started a committee to address animal cruelty 45 during animal training. 46 - In 1935, the American Humane Association began a study aimed at banning the 47 application of toxic chemicals to control predatory animals. Following an incident which 48 caused 1400 lambs to freeze to death during transportation, the Association pressured 49 both the Interstate Commerce Commission and Bureau of Industry to protect livestock 50 during shipping. 51 - In 1937, the American Humane Association’s Red Star rescued and fed animals from a 52 flood near the Mississippi River. 53 - In 1940, after filming “Jesse James” in 1939, a film in which a horse was killed, the 54 American Humane Association opened a new Western Regional Office in Hollywood, 55 California. The office work to stop cruelty to animals in film and television specifically. 56 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a law protecting the bald eagle. 57 - In 1941, following the US entry into World War II, the American Humane Association’s 58 Red Star trained more than 400 civilians in the use of animal aids while providing 59 millions of copies of Air Raid Precaution and Wartime Diet for Pets. 2 60 - In 1946, due to the strike by railroad workers which caused many animals to be 61 temporarily transported in inhumane conditions, the American Humane Association 62 volunteered to provide food and water for a number of animals. 63 - In 1951, the first “stamp of approval” was developed by the American Humane 64 Association’s Western Regional Office. It certified films as practicing humane methods 65 with regard to its animal actors. 66 - In 1952, using animals as test subjects in a cigarette study was banned. 67 - In 1958, the Humane Slaughter Act was signed into law requiring animals to be stunned 68 unconscious prior to slaughter. 69 - In 1959, The Royal SPCA in England and the American Humane Association in the US 70 developed an international society for the animal protection. 71 - In 1966, the American Humane Association helped prevent pets from being stolen and 72 used as research test subjects. 73 - In 1970, overcrowding of animals was banned. 74 - In 1976, more protections were added to animal transportation protocols, providing more 75 humane conditions. 76 - In 1977, the American Humane Association celebrated its centennial. 77 - In 1984, the first National Horse Abuse Investigation School was established. 78 - In 1988, the first formalized guidelines for animal welfare in the film industry was issued. 79 - In 1990, the first National Cruelty Investigation School for animals was initiated. 80 - In 1991, guidelines were developed for the welfare of those pets belonging to military 81 reservist sent to the Middle East during the Operation Desert Storm. 82 - In 1998, No Animals Were Harmed website was started. 83 - In 1999, guidelines were developed for advertising agencies that use animals in 84 advertisements. 85 - In 2000, the farm animals program was initiated by the American Humane Association to 86 establish standards for the treatment of animals in agriculture. 87 - In 2011, the Animal Welfare Research Institute was established to study the methods for 88 improving the quality of life for animals. 89 The act passed by Congress in 1958 (P.L. 85-765; 7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq), details what 90 qualifies as “humane slaughtering,” saying: 3 91 “No method of slaughtering or handling in connection with slaughtering shall be deemed to 92 comply with the public policy of the United States unless it is humane. Either of the 93 following two methods of slaughtering and handling are hereby found to be humane: 94 (a) in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals 95 are rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other 96 means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; or (b) 97 by slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Jewish faith or any other 98 religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of 99 consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous 100 severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument and handling in connection with 101 such slaughtering.” 102 Meanwhile, many states have their own rules and regulations. In Table 1, different states’ 103 rules are presented with date of enactment, methods, religious exemptions, animals covered 104 and penalty. 105 Table 1: The States’ Animal Slaughtering Rules (Adopted from Animal Legal & Historical 106 Center, 2006) State Citation Date Allowed Methods Animals Covered Penalty Enacted AZ AZ ST § 3-2002 – 1956 Single blow or gunshot or an Cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and No penalty is listed under the 2017 electrical, chemical or other other livestock. humane slaughter statute means that is rapid and effective. CA CA FOOD & AG 1967 Captive bolt, gunshot, All cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, Not listed in laws, but may be § 19501 – 19503 electrical or chemical means, goats, or fallow deer in rules CO CO ST § 35-33- 1989 Method whereby an animal is "Livestock" means cattle, calves, sheep, swine, In addition to criminal penalties 203 – 407 Note: this rendered insensible to pain by horses, mules, goats prescribed, violation incurs a section is a mechanical, electrical, civil penalty of not more than repealed chemical, or other means that $750 per violation for each day July 1, 2009 is rapid and effective. of violation. pursuant to Cannot use a manually § 35-33-407 operated hammer, sledge, or poleax. FL F. S. A. § 828.22 1961 A method whereby the "Livestock" means cattle, calves, sheep, swine, Any person who violates the animal is rapidly and horses, mules, goats, ostriches, rheas, emus Act and any associated rule is effectively rendered subject to an administrative insensitive to pain by fine of up to $10,000 for each electrical or chemical means violation. 4 or by a penetrating captive bolt or gunshot with appropriate caliber and placement. IA IA ST § 189A.18 - 1965 Limited to slaughter by "Livestock" means alive or dead animal which is Any person who violates any 189A.22 shooting, electrical shock, limited to cattle, sheep, swine, goats, farm deer provisions of this chapter for captive bolt, or use of carbon which no other criminal penalty dioxide gas.

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