Veterinarian group sticks with fish toss

SEATTLE, June 13 (UPI) -- The American Veterinary Medical Association says fish-tossing will take place at its upcoming convention in Seattle despite opposition from activists.

AVMA Chief Executive Officer Ron DeHaven said while an animal-rights group opposed his association's plan to embrace the fish-tossing tradition of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market, the effort will go on as planned in July, The Seattle Times said Saturday.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals spoke out against the association's decision to have market fish-throwers attend the July 11-14 convention as part of a team-building program.

DeHaven said the three fish to be used in the convention event will be dead and will eventually be used for human consumption.

The Los Angeles Times said DeHaven was also concerned that if his group had capitulated to the demands of PETA officials to cancel the event or simply use rubber fish, there may eventually be repercussions.

"The vast majority of our members would support the use of fish for this purpose, and if we are perceived as caving to political pressure from PETA, there is vulnerability for us there, and I don't want to ignore that," he said.