By Katie Burns

Six mermaids and a merman lay in front of the convention center at noon Saturday as part of a protest against fishmongers throwing fish during the AVMA Opening Session.

The fish throwing was part of a presentation on teamwork by the owner of Pike Place Fish Market, his business coach, and six of his fishmongers. The protesters were members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which had originally expressed its opposition to the presentation before the AVMA Annual Convention began.

"Fish are intelligent, sensitive animals who deserve better than to be tossed around as props by the very people who are charged with protecting animals," said Ashley Byrne, PETA senior campaign coordinator, as she supervised the protest.

Although no veterinarians or other convention attendees tossed fish, a primary purpose of the PETA protest was to oppose the fishing and aquaculture industry.

Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, AVMA chief executive officer, spoke briefly with the local media in a courtyard off the convention center. He said the Association respects PETA's right to express an opinion, but that the AVMA has a differing opinion.

The Association also issued a short statement before the protest, reiterating the AVMA's response to PETA regarding the opening session.

"We have some very well-founded animal welfare principles that include the responsible use of animals, including fish, for food purposes," says the AVMA statement. "We believe that this event is consistent with those principles."