Victory! Gulfport Historical Society to Use Plastic Fish at Annual Fish Toss Event

Preservation Society Nabs Fish-Shaped Vegan Chocolates From PETA in Thanks for Compassionate Decision

For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A box of delicious fish-shaped vegan chocolates is on its way from PETA to the board of the Gulfport Historical Society to thank it for voting unanimously to use weighted plastic fish instead of the dead bodies of real ones at its upcoming mullet fish toss on Wednesday, July 4. The switch comes after Gulfport Historical Society President Cathy Salustri brought the issue before the board in an effort to end the use of real fish at the annual event.

“The board did the right thing in stopping the disrespectful tradition of throwing around the corpses of once-living, sensitive animals,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is recognizing the Gulfport Historical Society for switching to fake fish at its event, which will spare fish’s lives and make the festivities fun and respectful for everyone.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or use for entertainment”—notes that fish communicate, use tools, form bonds, grieve, and are capable of experiencing fear, pain, and stress. When they’re hauled out of the water in huge nets (along with unintended victims, including dolphins, turtles, seals, and others), many slowly suffocate or are crushed to death, and those who survive are often still alive when their throats and stomachs are cut open.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.