Your correspondents appear to be jumping the gun, I don't see any proposition to ban fishing, this is an issue for fish used for research. They do feel pain, there is no longer any doubt about that, the only remaining question is do they suffer, this is a different and more complex problem.

Tim, Bromley, UK

Hi i am an angler and i reckon angling is a very good sport maybe fish do feel pain but it keeps kids quiet and occupied like myself i say if the goverment do put the book on fishing i will still do it so will many others why should they put the book on it now when it has been going for god knows how many years i see it as say some sport you dont want to do in P.E and then you get hurt but you dont see goverment put the book on that particullar sport though do you...

chris goodwin, barrow-in-furnes, england

If fish feel pain how come they still feed with there insides hanging out after predator attacks.
They are made that way to survive their harsh environment.
They arnt teddy bears.

Andrew williams, nottingham, uk

Bye bye, fish and chips (and, of course, pan-fried sea bass for the posh). Laboratories today, fish farms tomorrow and there are no sustainable stocks in the sea.

I remember reading something about vegetables getting distressed when being picked..............

John , Bromley, Kent, UK

Surely next we should deal with mealy mouthed liberal clap trap? Because some of the views on this matter are TOTALLY out of context.
So we ALL feel pain?, SO what!! It is how it is and it and has been since time immemorial!! Now GET OVER IT!!!
And SNIDE comments about ANGLERS are just that!! SNIDE COMMENTS!!! They have no place in this discussion. Make up your own story please.

Chris Goddard, Renaze, FRANCE

But then again f they ban fishing it is the goverment being utter fools and i for one when i am older will be going abroad to fish as if they banned fishing they may aswell ban england lol

chris goodwin, barrow-in-furnes, england

As an angler it angers me that people want angling banned. Millions and millions of pounds is generated by fishing (via licences) and the Environmental Agency use this money not only to improve fish stocks,but also to reduce the amount of pollution in our lakes, rivers etc.. and generally improve the countryside. What other sport gives that much back to the country???

Gary, Swansea, Wales

Once again the Bible is proven correct when it says one day we would " worship the creation and not the creator ". Let's get our emotions under control and fight the abortion issue in an effort to save the innocent babies and not worry about a fish with no soul.

Ron Greene, baltimore, md., MD. USA

Of course fish feel pain, all animals do! The fallacy that anglers proclaim fish are stupid, hence feel no pain is ridiculous. If stupidity was a measure of anything, then anglers would be at the front of the queue for the prize.

Angling is as despicable as any cruel sport attacking defenseless creatures, and the sooner it's brought to book the better.

My experience of anglers is they are as extreme, and violent as any pro hunt lunatic, when pushed on the subject.

Care in the community simply doesnt work.

Derek Moody, Bristol, UK

Honestly, I was just thinking that you couldn't make this stuff up when it hit me, like a bolt from the blue. This was my once in a life-time, stuff your dragon's den, billion dollar opportunity. I'd set up the country's first ever fish retirement home. Why, give me five years and I'll have one in every town and village in the land. The more I thought about it, the more I liked it. It would be the perfect client based, service industry. Clients with very modest day to day care requirements, never bitching about the food, wandering around Tescos dressed in their pyjamas, droning on about 'the good old days,' or arguing about which television channel they wanted to watch. Best of all, when they get to that age where they just can't be bothered to go to the toilet, nobody will even notice! And come the end; come the final reckoning ......there's always the fish and chip shop.

Mike Metcalfe, Launceston , England

Have you ever thought Judi that the artificial environment that was your fish tank was the only reason that these fish had never been predated on before. What do you think happens in the wild? It's not like Finding Nemo you know.
And if there are to be any bans then please let's rid society of bigots like John! If fish feel so much pain when hooked, how come I've caught the same chub three times on the same bait in the past week!?!? They can't be that bright can they!?

Greg, Stamford,

I'm sure fish do feel pain. This is the first step towards banning angling. How would you like a hook through your lip? Here comes the Hunting Bill all over again

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Wonderful! And the other week someone in Whitehaven who drowned a litter of puppies was found not guilty of harming them because a vet said young puppies do not feel pain. This country is going insane.

Peggy Webb, Blyth, England

It's about time the government concentrated on getting the laws and problems right for it's citizens before wasting time on animal welfare.

Les, Southport, England

I wanted rid of my large fish tank, so took my two tiny neon fish to a Taxi firm that had a large tank with other small fish in it.
As soon as I released my poor fish into that tank, I could sense their fear - within seconds they were being hunted by slighly larger fish, and one was swallowed up almost immediately. I remember crying out in shock, but my husband said to stop showing myself up, the other would be fine.
I have never forgiven myself for taking them to that place.
It proved to me that fish have feelings just like us, and anyone who thinks otherwise must be either insensitve clods or thick ignorant planks.
By the way I am now vegan - I'm very fit, healthy and youthful.

Judi Hewitt, Rhyl,,

I'm glad to see that it has been finally recognized that fish are capable of feeling pain, just as all other animals do. Protection for fish is very much needed. Fish have been tremendously abused for years (fishing, lab. experimentation, pet store confinement,..) . Hopefully, this will lead to the implementation of more humane practices.

Italia Millan, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA

Well done. Next, we must deal with angling, as surely this is extremely stressful for fish. Even those fish whose lives are spared and thrown back in the water will suffer from horrific injuries caused by fishermen and their hooks and lines.

Sue, Manchester, England