Letter: Caring anglers? Ask the fish

Sir: D A Beaumont suggests that the purpose of fishing for most anglers is to "pit their wits and expertise against the ... fish". This would be fine if the fish were a willing participant, and if it were not risking rather more than the angler.

Angling organisations sometimes claim that fish are cold-blooded and therefore cannot feel pain. However, there is no scientific basis for this argument and the RSPCA Medway Report concluded that fish could feel pain in the same way as any other vertebrate. Why else would they have a nervous system?

Mr Beaumont says anglers care deeply about the fish that they catch and return. I suggest they demonstrate their compassion in a simple but effective way: stop fishing.

RICHARD MOUNTFORD

Birmingham