Each year, the iconic Flora-Bama on the Gulf Coast brings together residents from across the region, state and nation to celebrate the iconic Mallet TossIt's a weekend-long competition to see who can throw a dead mullet the furthest.
The event is a staple on the Gulf Coast and one of the largest annual beach parties in the South.
However, People for the Equal Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to Flora-Bama's owners offering to replace the real fish with rubber replicas provided by PETA, and even offer “vegan fish sandwiches” at the event.
PETA claims that “every dead fish bagged by mullet tossing was a free-swimming, feeling animal with a life that mattered to them and that did not want to die.”
“They are among us,” countered state Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), who represents Alabama's coastal region in the Legislature. Elliott encouraged owners not to cave in to pressure from activist groups that tend to make over-the-top demands.
PETA has listed five items that can be thrown at events in place of dead fish. Website They are as follows:
- Fresh and biodegradable flowers
- Small clumps of seaweed
- Recyclable beach toys
- Me (jumps safely into the water!)
- Reusable fake fish (our original proposal)
Despite PETA's fanfare, it's safe to say that mallet tossing isn't going to change anytime soon.
Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation:
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