PETA: Fishing Video Games Linked To Violence Against Fish

A new study released by People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals shows a disturbing link between fishing video games and violence against actual fish. According to the study, millions of bass are hooked and killed each year by children inspired by the new Bassmaster 2004 video game.

“This game glorifies fishing,” says PETA spokesperson Lindsey Whitman. “Parents need to be aware that games such as Bassmaster and Championship Bass feature graphic illustrations of the bloody murder of fish. It allows users to participate in this gruesome carnage in a virtual reality world that is designed to simulate real life. There is a clear connection between this and actual, real life fishing.”

The study claims, among other things, that children and adults who play fishing video games are twice as likely to kill fish as people who don’t play the games. It also cites several examples to back up its claim, including case studies of people who agreed to be interviewed.

An excerpt from an interview with a 12-year-old from Forksville, PA:

“Me and my friend were playing Bassmaster all day. It was a lot of fun. You really feel like you’re at a lake trying to catch real fish. After a while, we were having so much fun that we decided to go down to the lake and try the real thing. I caught three catfish!”

Another excerpt from a 32-year-old man said “Fishing is my life. If I can’t be out on a boat, I’m playing a fishing video game. It’s a great substitute for the real thing.”

“A great substitute for the real thing,” quoted Whitman. “If that isn’t an incriminating statement I don’t know what is. Wake up America. People are influenced by the things they see on TV, the music they hear, and the games that the play. We feel that these fishing video games have done for fish murdering what Grand Theft Auto has done for carjacking. It’s made it seem like a helluva lot of fun.”

According to the study, incidents of violence against fish, especially bass fish, have skyrocketed in the last five years. PETA sites fishing tournaments, fishing television, and fishing video games as a big part of the trend.

“How many fish need to be killed, maimed, and raped before we as a society begin to take responsibility?” asked Whitman at a press conference yesterday. “If we keep feeding our children images of grotesque acts of violence against our oceanic brothers, we will raise an entire generation of bloodthirsty, fish slaughtering psychopaths. Its time to find an alternative.”

Whitman went on to say that the organization is embarking on a publicity campaign designed to steer youngsters away from games that promote violence against fish, and offer alternatives that promote violence against humans. A billboard in New York’s Times Square features a photo from the blood-soaked game Mortal Kombat with a headline that reads: “Forget fish killing. How about people killing?”

“We’re not advocating killing people,” insists Whitman. “We’re simply providing an alternative to the savage murder of poor defenseless fish. The images from Mortal Kombat are shocking, I know. But have you ever seen a fish being caught? A hook through the mouth, blood flying everywhere, then they get cut open and eaten. Now that’s shocking.”

The makers of the video game in question shot back in defense of their product with a press release issued earlier today:

“Our video games are intended for fun and entertainment. We do not take responsibility for the actions of those who purchase them. It is our understanding that PETA is blaming us for the death of thousands of fish these past few years. Our response is that fish related violence has existed long before our Bassmaster video game was released. We did not create the act of fish killing. Jesus, haven’t you ever read of Moby Dick?”

The press release went on to announce than in 2004, EA sports would be releasing a video game called PETA Wars, in which players can hunt and kill members of PETA with machine guns, knives, and nunchucks. Advance orders for the game have already started pouring in, and the game is expected to be a best seller around the world.