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Skegness should change its 'violent' fisherman mascot, Peta says
The controversial animal rights group says The Jolly Fisherman has a 'violent occupation'
Peta is calling on a seaside town to change its fisherman mascot because it is not animal friendly.
The controversial animal rights group has written to the mayor suggesting a modern rebrand of The Jolly Fisherman accusing him of having a "violent occupation".
But residents and the council in Skegness, Lincs, have responded in disapproval of the century-old mascots retirement.
Peta has suggested a more compassionate slogan of "Skegness - A Happy Plaice".
They claim Jolly's job consists of "catching animals in nets and suffocating them or impaling them in the face with hooks".
Peta has suggested a more compassionate slogan of "Skegness - A Happy Plaice" (Peta/PA)
The organisation also said: "Fish are complex, sensitive animals who feel pain like the rest of us."
Skegness's mayor, Carl Macey, said the Jolly Fisherman was loved by adults and children alike.
He said: "Animal cruelty is something we don't want to be portrayed for, but I don't feel Jolly has ever come across in that manner.
"He is just accepted as happy and friendly and he does such a wonderful job for Skegness.
"It [Peta's suggestion] will go before council, but if it isn't broken we won't try and fix it."
The Jolly Fisherman poster was commissioned in 1908 by the Great Northern Railway to encourage visitors to take the train on their seaside breaks to Skegness.
The poster featured the slogan "Skegness is so bracing".
The town has several versions of Jolly, including a statue of him on a fountain.
Residents are up in arms about the suggestion of their much loved emblem vanishing commenting on the Skegness Standards Facebook page.
Stephanie Paquin said: "Omg no! This is nonsense. Leave the Jolly Fisherman alone!"
Barry Ormrod said: "Being a fisherman has been a trade for centuries, next they'll be saying a farmer is an unappropriate symbol, and is cruel to sheep and cows."
Jonathan Buckley said: "Are they serious?! The Jolly Fisherman is an iconic part of Skeg's history! Children love him, most folk know him and it's the Skegness brand."
Peta said biologists have found fish develop relationships with each other and grieve when their friends die.
Dawn Carr, of Peta, said Jolly "evokes images of cruelty to animals".
She said: "Fish being tricked into impaling themselves in the mouth, animals being pulled out of the ocean in giant nets where they are so crushed together the pressure pushes their stomachs out through their mouths and their eyes pop out."
However, Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy at East Lindsey Council, Councillor Steve Kirk hope Jolly stays in the seaside town.
He said: "Jolly has done a Brill job promoting Skegness his entire life - catapulting the resort to one of the most popular and successful in the country.
"Whatever next? Robin Hood being ask to stop using a bow and arrow? What a load of Cobblers.
"We hope Peta change their Tuna and agree that Jolly is fine as he is. Eel be around for a long time to come."
The animal protection organisation is offering local schools £1,000 worth of VBites Fish-Free Fish fingers is Skegness agrees to replace the mascot.