An interesting study whose conclusions I am somewhat skeptical of. While the results are illuminating with respect to the determination that stimulus-nociception occurs within fish, the next step is to design a study that can look at how this stimulus fits into the fish's cognition. How would an investigator objectively assess and score the cognitive response with respect to pain? As a neurobiologist, I eagerly await the results. Until that time though, I will continue my solitary pleasure by opening my John Dickson & Son fly-wallet and seek out the elusive trout amongst our high mountain streams and lakes. Arthur Kuebel, Washington, USA

Fish do not feel pain. Name withheld

Yes, they feel pain and I'm glad! Why should they get a break? Rob Lenihan

Of course they feel pain. Pain is an indication that something is wrong. Wouldn't it be strange if in all animals there is such a warning system except in those coldblooded creatures? It would be very inefficient if there was no such thing. How could any beast survive feeling no pain? M Voet, Zutphen, The Netherlands

I am surprised that it has ever been doubted that fish wouldn't feel pain. There would be no fish without pain. Pain is a protection agent for all living creatures. Cruelty belongs only to humans and we choose to deny this trait constantly. Robert Berkhout

It comes as no surprise I suppose that the claims of "fish feel pain" would receive enormous publicity, as it makes such a good story. It would have been easier to bear however if the report from Dr James D. Rose of the University of Wyoming (Do Fish Feel Pain?) had been given equal publicity when it was published, as this well researched paper clearly shows there is no case to answer. Fish do NOT feel pain and there is no case to answer. We will now no doubt be treated to further calls from the extremists at Peta and others to ban fishing, and take us all one step closer to their utopia of veganism for all. Chris Burt, Chelmsford, Essex