The organization Animal Law Focus, supported by the Aquatic Animal Alliance and Marketing Vegano, launched the global campaign #22Minutes, an initiative that aims to debunk one of the most entrenched myths: that fish do not feel pain. Every year, billions of them are killed without legal recognition of their capacity to suffer.
The name of the campaign refers to the average time it takes for a fish to die from asphyxiation when taken out of the water: up to 22 minutes of suffering, a slow and invisible process that occurs millions of times every day. This figure symbolizes not only their physical pain but also the lack of attention given to the welfare of aquatic animals.
The proposal seeks to disseminate scientific evidence, generate empathy, and promote legal changes that recognize fish as sentient beings. According to recent research, their nervous system reacts to pain in a manner similar to that of other vertebrate animals, reinforcing the need to incorporate more ethical standards in fishing and aquaculture.
Currently, the World Organization for Animal Health recommends humane slaughter practices, but in Latin America their application is still scarce. The lack of regulation highlights an ethical and environmental debt that requires urgent attention.
The hidden suffering underwater
When a fish is removed from the water, its gills collapse and its body enters a state of extreme panic. The lack of oxygen causes prolonged agony that can last up to 22 minutes, during which the animal struggles to breathe. This suffering, although silent, is comparable to that of any other vertebrate experiencing physical pain and stress.
Moreover, industrial practices such as mass fishing or transport without oxygen exacerbate the problem. Many fish die crushed or bled out without prior loss of consciousness. The impact is not only ethical but also ecological: stress and poor conditions alter water quality and contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems.
Scientists warn that recognizing fish pain is key to reforming the food industry and ensuring a more respectful coexistence with the aquatic environment. Environmental education and responsible consumption are essential steps toward that goal.
A global campaign with a focus on awareness
As part of #22Minutes, Animal Law Focus presented together with Animal Interseccional the recipe book “22 Minutes Without Terror”, which invites people to celebrate Halloween with 100% plant-based meals, accessible and quick to prepare. The proposal demonstrates that an ethical and sustainable diet is possible without resorting to animal suffering.
The movement also includes an international webinar titled “Sentience in Fishes: Safeguarding Fish Welfare Across Different Contexts”, which will bring together specialists from around the world to discuss strategies to ensure the protection of fish.
The trafficking of life under the sea
Fish are the most exploited animals on the planet. It is estimated that more than one trillion specimens are captured each year for human consumption or as part of the ornamental trade. The absence of solid animal welfare policies in the oceans facilitates systematic abuses, invisible to most of the population.
In light of this scenario, campaigns like #22Minutes raise an urgent question: how willing are we to recognize that the suffering of a fish matters as much as that of any other animal?
