New England Lighthouse Treasures

News about the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitting a letter of interest to Saundra A. Robbins, U.S. General Services Administration on July 18, 2007 to acquire Penfield Reef Lighthouse for the national headquarters of its “Fish Empathy Project” is a extreme peculiar use of the historic Lighthouse. If the federal government awards ownership of the Lighthouse to PETA, than PETA’s Fish Empathy Project would focus on ending what they call fish abuse by serving faux fish sticks and vegan “seafood” at the Lighthouse cafe.

The “Fish Empathy Project” would be a strange twist for Penfield Reef Lighthouse which was originally built to safely guide fishermen and commercial shipping away from the dangerous submerged reef in Long Island Sound. Michael Prescott, PETA’s manager of fish empathy campaigns, seems to think a fish memorial and fake fish food cafe at Penfield Reef Lighthouse will change the opinions of commercial fisherman. Hopefully, their senseless program will never see the Light of Penfield Reef Lighthouse.

Posting a Beacon shining a Light of truth in a sea of PETA misinformation:

According to the news story, PETA’s anti-fishing web-site claims fish feel pain yet, scientific research proves most fish do not have nervous receptors (nociceptors) for sensing and reporting pain to the central nervous system and the brain. Some fish species have nociceptive neurones similar to those found in humans, yet there is no evidence for the psychological experience of pain in these fish according to Dr. James Rose, professor of zoology and physiology at the University of Wyoming.

Furthermore, PETA’s program of fear-mongering about dangerous mercury levels in fish is untrue according to a report by the Center of Consumer Freedom. Minute traces of mercury in fish is inconsequential to human health and the health benefits of fish continue to outweigh any mercury paranoia being peddled by PETA. According to another study, “women who ate the most fish during their pregnancies had children with the highest IQs.” Reference source: Seafood Safety

The application process for disposed Lighthouses by eligible non-profit organizations can be six months to a year and Kenneth Flatto, Selectman of Fairfield believes the Town has the best case for ownership. Hopefully, the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut will be able to preserve Penfield Reef Lighthouse as a historical landmark and icon of our maritime heritage in accordance with the guidelines of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Penfield Reef Lighthouse is best viewed by boat at a safe distance away from the submerged reef.

Map Location:
For Map Directions, please visit the Google Map of Penfield Reef Lighthouse.

Related Blog Post:
Haunted Lighthouse for a dollar? July 10, 2007

Related News Sources:
PETA hopes to hook lighthouse July 26, 2007
PETA Seeks National HQ for Its Fish Empathy Project July 19, 2007

Technorati Tags: lighthouse, PETA Fishing for a Lighthouse, Penfield Reef Lighthouse, PETA, Connecticut