‘Like Serving Poodle Burgers at a Dog Show’: PETA Urges Harborview Aquarium to Leave Fish Off the Menu
For Immediate Release:
April 27, 2026
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
With the newly christened Harborview Aquarium set to open in Onondaga County this summer, PETA sent a letter today to zoOceanarium Group Managing Director Chris Davis, with a simple but sensible request: leave fish off the menu at the aquarium’s café.
“Serving fish at The Harborview Aquarium is akin to serving poodle burgers at a dog show or elephant steaks at the zoo,” writes PETA Vice President Danielle Katz. “Leaving fish off the menu would affirm that marine animals are unique individuals worthy of respect who can feel pain, joy, and form social bonds just like the dogs and cats we share our homes with.”
Fish have long memories, sing to each other, and share knowledge—yet trillions are killed for food each year, more than all other animals combined. A recent study found that fish can experience disabling and even excruciating pain for at least 10 minutes—and, in some cases, for over an hour—before their brains shut down and they become unconscious. Each person who goes vegan spares the lives of nearly 200 animals every year. PETA’s free vegan starter kit—and guide to the best vegan seafood—can help those looking to make the switch.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Davis follows.
April 27, 2026
Chris Davis
Managing Director
zoOceanarium Group
Dear Mr. Davis,
Greetings from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10 million members and supporters globally, and PETA U.S. is the largest animal rights organization in the world. I’m writing ahead of the opening of The Harborview Aquarium with a simple, values-aligned request—please leave sea animals off the menu.
Serving fish at The Harborview Aquarium is akin to serving poodle burgers at a dog show or elephant steaks at the zoo. Leaving fish off the menu would affirm that marine animals are unique individuals worthy of respect who can feel pain, joy, and form social bonds just like the dogs and cats we share our homes with.
Some of the most widespread modern fishing methods include the use of long lines and gill nets, which kill hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, birds, sharks, and other “nontarget” marine animals every year in U.S. territories alone. The cruel practice of commercial fishing lures or traps animals and hooks them, leaving them to drown or bleed to death, sometimes after struggling for days. Additionally, scientists estimate that more than 650,000 marine mammals—including dolphins, porpoises, and whales—are seriously injured or killed every year by commercial fishing practices.
The Harborview Aquarium has a meaningful opportunity to leave fish off its menu. Delicious vegan foods such as Gardein F’sh Filets, Beyond Burgers, and Lightlife hot dogs appeal to a wide range of guests and reflect a growing public interest in compassionate, sustainable cuisine.
May we please hear that you won’t have fish on the menu? We’d be happy to provide recommendations for standout vegan seafood options you could feature on your menu, instead.
Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Danielle Katz
Vice President of Campaigns
