Re: the Nov. 13 article "Fish die as Lower Santa Cruz River diverted."
"In a broad, ecological sense, the fish deaths weren’t that important, partly because a decent number of living fish have recently been found downstream of that area”- Claire Zugmeyer, Sonoran Institute’s Living Rivers ecologist
Replacing "fish" with "human" in that quote would make it just as valid. What Ms. Zugmeyer fails to consider is that, as with humans, fishes are sentient beings. Science has shown they suffer fear and pain. They are as deserving of our respect and compassion as other sentient beings.
County government spokesman Mark Evans claimed: “There’s no practical way to move aquatic life with the water." County residents showed that to not be true by acting to save animals there. This was further confirmed by letters here expressing anger for the fishes and a willingness to help them. People in charge of civic projects have a responsibility to do the least harm. They shouldn’t have such apathetic, defeatist attitudes.
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Mary Finelli
Founder, Fish Feel
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
