The Science of Animal Sentience - Evidence for Sentience in Fishes

Explore the compelling evidence for sentience in fish species through this 39-minute conference talk by Lynne Sneddon at the Society for Experimental Biology's Animal Satellite meeting. Delve into the concept of sentience, its implications for animal welfare, and the ethical considerations in experimental biology. Examine fascinating examples of fish behavior, including archfish, cleaner fish, and their capacity for positive and negative emotions. Investigate intriguing phenomena such as fear contagion and mirror recognition tests in fish. Consider the broader implications of accepting fish sentience on welfare practices and scientific research. Gain insights into novel research methods like skin swabbing and pain relief studies in wild animals. Conclude with key takeaway messages that challenge traditional views on fish cognition and emotion, encouraging a reevaluation of our understanding of these aquatic creatures.

Introduction
Sentience
Animal welfare
Experimentation
Defining sentience
Examples of sentience
Archfish
Cleaner fish
Positive feelings
Negative feelings
Fear contagion
Mirror recognition test
Speciesism
Book chapter
Implications for welfare
What would happen if we accepted sentience
Carl Safina
Poll
Review
Skin swabbing
Pain relief
Wild animals
Conclusion
Thanks
Fear of contagion
Dawns list
Other fishes
Do fish feel pain
Evidence for sentience
Takehome messages