How morally wrong is it to fillet a fish alive?

I was thinking about this today. A couple years ago, my youth group and I were staying at a cottage for the weekend, and we went fishing for dinner. Upon returning, we were to prepare the fish--and I was appalled that they began filleting the fish alive.

One of the adults even remarked, "When I do this with bigger fish like salmon, they're usually still alive even after I've done the other side."

I, in my infinite kindness, began to show mercy to the fish by stabbing them in their brains.

So, I'm just wondering--how wrong is it to fillet a fish while it lives? To me, it's pretty damn morally wrong.

Pretty damn wrong. Leave it out of water for a few minutes, it'll be dead soon enough.

Originally posted by FeceMan
I was thinking about this today. A couple years ago, my youth group and I were staying at a cottage for the weekend, and we went fishing for dinner. Upon returning, we were to prepare the fish--and I was appalled that they began filleting the fish alive.

One of the adults even remarked, "When I do this with bigger fish like salmon, they're usually still alive even after I've done the other side."

I, in my infinite kindness, began to show mercy to the fish by stabbing them in their brains.

So, I'm just wondering--how wrong is it to fillet a fish while it lives? To me, it's pretty damn morally wrong.

Um duh fish feel pain. PETA already acknowledges this, you're going to burn in non vegetarian.

I hope you like the thought of being filleted!

Originally posted by Cory Chaos
Pretty damn wrong. Leave it out of water for a few minutes, it'll be dead soon enough.

Originally posted by Soleran
you're going to burn in non vegetarian.

I hope you like the thought of being filleted!

And what's so humane about letting a fish suffocate?

I usually just give em a good smack on the head with a wooden mallet. Quick and painless, and then you're free to fillet!

I think it's flat out rude to fillet a fish while it's still alive.

larger predatorial fish are very intelligent and i would image can suffer. you might do better to just sever the spinal column....less brutal that way.

Originally posted by =Tired Hiker=
I think it's flat out rude to fillet a fish while it's still alive.

I don't think it's something that you would go to hell for, but why somebody wouldn't just kill the fish first is beyond me....

Assuming there is something as morally wrong. Assuming fileting a fish alive is morally wrong. I'd say "5"....at least.

I think fishing alone is morally wrong. Dragging a living thing out of its environment using a hook from its mouth, what's humane about that?

Must be pretty damn awkward to fillet a live fish, why not just hit it on the head a few times with your trusty mallet? 😄

To answer the question I wouldn't say its any more less moral than catching the fish in the first place with the intention to keep it/eat it.

Originally posted by FeceMan
I was thinking about this today. A couple years ago, my youth group and I were staying at a cottage for the weekend, and we went fishing for dinner. Upon returning, we were to prepare the fish--and I was appalled that they began filleting the fish alive.

One of the adults even remarked, "When I do this with bigger fish like salmon, they're usually still alive even after I've done the other side."

I, in my infinite kindness, began to show mercy to the fish by stabbing them in their brains.

So, I'm just wondering--how wrong is it to fillet a fish while it lives? To me, it's pretty damn morally wrong.

Depends. If the guy throws the fish on the grill enjoying to see the fish writhe -- then I'd say yeah, it's morally wrong.

If the guy just throws the fish on the grill cause he's concerned about feeding his 3 starving kids right away - then no.

I don't eat any kind of seafood and I think that to fish and to hunt is wrong but that is me.I do eat some meat btw!Anyway no I don't think it is morally wrong to do thta to a fish.
I disargee with skining but that is just me.There is alot more stuff morally wrong then something as little as that.jm

How alive are you talking here? Because its pretty difficult to fillet a fish if its alive and moving 😐

Anyways, I don't see a point in keeping it alive while you do it, it makes it more difficult and results in fillets that are sub par and filled with bones.

In terms of morality, I think there is something wrong with it. It seems kinda cruel IMO.

FeceMan don't stab it that causes way more pain, less than filleting but a lot more than just a quick smack on the head, it smashes the brain against the skull killing it instantly.Can't really see the purpose of filleting it alive it'd make your fillets poor quality and its not much effort to kill it beforehand

Originally posted by J-Beowulf
I usually just give em a good smack on the head with a wooden mallet. Quick and painless, and then you're free to fillet!

That's what I always do, too.

Kiling a fish is mean and making it suffer while doing that is just pure evil.jm

Originally posted by {{QS}}
FeceMan don't stab it that causes way more pain, less than filleting but a lot more than just a quick smack on the head, it smashes the brain against the skull killing it instantly.Can't really see the purpose of filleting it alive it'd make your fillets poor quality and its not much effort to kill it beforehand

Well, my heart was in the right place...why does it cause more pain?