Since we originally posted the above pic, it has come to our attention that the practice of displaying live fish in supermarkets is a uniquely Hungarian phenomenon, or what locals refer to as a “Hungaricum.” The aim is to demonstrate the freshness of the fish, but research has shown that keeping them in a crowded, dirty and oxygen-starved environment causes stress, which results in unpalatable toxins being produced in the body. Unfortunately, animal protection lobbyist can do little to stop aquarium overcrowding.
István Szilágyi, “curate” of the White Cross Animal Protection League, told FigyelőNet that they receive many complaints from costumers about keeping live fish on display under bad conditions. However, authorities are not entitled to do anything unless – as pictured above – there is a dead rat or some dead fish floating in the aquarium as well.
Animal protection law does not specify what size these aquariums should be, and there is no such regulation in EU law either, possibly because nowhere else in the EU do vendors offer live fish for sale, Szilágyi added.
This is not a Hungarian phenomenon as we also display live fish/seafood in the supermarkets in Canada…one difference is the quality of our aquariums with large filters and oxygen intakes for the fish. BTW, NO CARP PLEASE!!!!!!
Yeah, when you think about all the cruelty that Hungarian carp have inflicted on unspecting diners over the years (centuries?) who cares about a little cruelty to carp…