Fish Day: respect for carp

On December 20th, for over 20 years, Poland has celebrated Fish Day, which intentionally precedes the purchase of Christmas carp. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the choices we are about to make. For too long, fish have been treated as voiceless, emotionless animals, whereas in reality, they are sensitive and surprisingly intelligent vertebrates.

Fish Day: a moment of empathy

In 2003, the Empathy Association, in cooperation with the Viva! Foundation, established Fish Day in Poland. Its purpose is to raise awareness that fish are sentient beings capable of feeling physical pain and should not be treated inhumanely.

According to the PETA organization, there is a wealth of scientific evidence confirming that fish have a developed nervous system. More than 20 pain receptors have been identified in the fish’s head, overlapping with the areas where hooks are often placed. Observations also reveal that these animals suffer in unfavorable conditions, fall into apathy, stop eating, and remember unpleasant experiences for months, actively avoiding them.

On Fish Day, the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Świnoujście also reminds us that fish can hear, many species have a well-developed sense of smell, and fish skin is as sensitive as the human eye. As highly social creatures, fish can build shelters and care for their offspring.

Carp: the most eco-friendly fish in Poland

Farmed carp are even less esteemed than wild fish—keeping them in a small bathtub filled with chlorinated water shows a lack of imagination and compassion. Meanwhile, Poland produces about 18,000 tons of carp annually, accounting for one-third of all freshwater fish caught in the country. The potential for harm is staggering.

The reputation of carp is further tarnished by its relatively low price and its bony flesh. Few people know that consuming carp is one of the most eco-friendly choices available to Polish consumers. Dr. hab. inż. Andrzej Pilarczyk from the Department of Ichthyobiology and Fisheries Management at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gołysz points out that carp are currently fed natural diets, such as grain-based feeds. Furthermore, according to the WWF, closed carp farming poses no threat to the natural environment, nor does it carry significant risks of diseases or parasites. Open-pond farming, on the other hand, creates valuable ecological niches for other species, particularly waterfowl.

As an ecological source of protein and an integral symbol of Christmas, carp offers considerable benefits to us. Isn’t it time to repay the favor, at least on Fish Day?

Buy responsibly!

The Empathy Foundation, as part of its efforts, advocates for veganism as a lifestyle that minimizes harm to animals. While this may not be a choice for everyone, scientists warn of potential health risks associated with a fully plant-based diet.

For most of us, carp remains a rational purchase in terms of economy, health, and ecology. However, farming fish for meat doesn’t have to involve causing them unnecessary suffering.

In an official statement, WWF Poland opposes the sale and purchase of live fish, citing appalling conditions during storage and transport. The organization also deems it unacceptable to transport suffocating fish home in plastic bags without water and to kill them without proper training or expertise. WWF urges consumers to boycott the sale of live carp, arguing that decreasing demand will limit supply and save thousands of fish from unnecessary suffering.

Fortunately, Poland is making progress in carp protection. A citizen’s bill proposing a ban on the sale of live fish has been awaiting debate in the Sejm for months. According to this year’s survey conducted by Compassion in World Farming, as many as 69% of Poles support this ban.