Alumnus decries fishing club at Bates

LEWISTON – A Bates College alumnus who says it is inhumane to catch fish has asked his alma mater to get rid of a student fishing club.

In a letter to the president of the private liberal arts college, J. Coulter Leslie cited recent studies on fish sensitivity in branding recreational fishing a cruel activity that the school should not tolerate.

“Bates College would never sponsor a club that impales dogs or cats with hooks through their mouths,” Leslie wrote, “but treating fish this way is no better.”

Leslie is an outreach coordinator with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a Virginia-based animal rights group that has launched a campaign called the Fish Empathy Project.

Leslie, who graduated from Bates in 1994, said evidence that fish are sensitive to the injuries inflicted on them should be enough to compel Bates officials to shut down the fishing club.

“In light of these discoveries, an institution devoted to educating students about science, ethics and personal responsibility certainly should not promote cruelty to animals by endorsing a fishing club,” Leslie wrote.

Bates senior Chester Clem, the president of the fishing club, said he was “blown away” to learn that someone accused the fishing club of being cruel.

“We make every effort to be as careful with the fish as possible, as I think most fishermen do,” said Clem, an environmental policy major. “The club is just a bunch of guys who enjoy fishing.”

Clem said he respects Leslie’s right to voice his opinions but does not plan to give up fishing.

“I see the stance he’s taking,” Clem said, “but I respectfully disagree. We pose very little threat to the fish of Maine.”

A Bates administrator said the college has little to do with the fishing club, which is funded by its members.

“It’s nothing the college runs directly,” said Robert Hiss, vice president of external affairs. “It’s a group of students who like to fish. We don’t control them or sponsor them.”