An animal rights organisation have called on a Great Yarmouth aquarium to stop serving fish at its restaurant.

This morning, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) fired off a letter to Sea Life Centre, which has an aquarium in Great Yarmouth, calling on policy-makers to stop serving dead fish at in-house restaurants – a practice that contradicts the aquarium’s invitation to the public to appreciate the wonder of living fish.

“Experts agree that fish are sensitive, interesting animals who feel pain and have complex social structures. No one, particularly a facility that is supposed to promote respect for sea life, needs to put them on the menu”, said PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi.

“The rise of so many delicious, readily available faux-fish dishes means visitors can enjoy a tasty meal without slaughtering animals.”

Biologists have found fish develop relationships with each other and grieve when their companions die. Some fish are capable of using tools, while others gather information by eavesdropping.

Sylvia Earle, the world’s leading marine biologist, has previously said: “I wouldn’t deliberately eat a grouper any more than I’d eat a cocker spaniel”.

PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”, encourage all caring people to choose tasty vegan options.

More follows.