The Aberaeron Mackerel Festival takes place in August to mark the end of the fishing season
Animal rights activists want a small seaside town to change its annual mackerel festival to celebrate the humble cabbage instead.
At the end of the fishing season in Aberaeron, the Ceredigion town hosts a mackerel fiesta, described as "a light-hearted funeral" dedicated to the fast-swimming fish.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) wants the popular event to be an "animal-friendly" and "kinder" cabbage fiesta instead.
In response, councillor Elizabeth Evans said fishing was "part of our heritage in Aberaeron", while the "growing of cabbages is not".
During the celebration, a large papier mache mackerel is carried by bearers through the town over to the yacht club, before it is blessed and then burned at sunset.
The animal welfare group sent a letter to Lloyd Thomas, president of Aberaeron Yacht Club, with the suggestion to "swap fish-focused festivities for an animal-friendly celebration of Welsh produce" by hosting an Aberaeron Cabbage Fiesta.
Peta also offered to provide organisers with a giant papier mache vegetable to replace the fiesta's traditional mackerel.
In the letter, the group urged Thomas to "let fish off the hook and transform the Aberaeron Mackerel Fiesta into a kinder event".
"Celebrating life-giving plant produce rather than fish slaughter would be more in line with the compassion and warmth Wales is known for," it added.
Peta pitched the idea as an opportunity to support local farmers who grow cabbage.
The group ended the letter saying they hope it inspired Aberaeron to "turn over a new leaf and let mackerel swim free".
Councillor Elizabeth Evans said while many may have a different view, fishing has reduced dramatically in the bay
In response, Evans said: "The Aberaeron Mackerel Festival is a celebration of a fish which has been in our local waters for generations. It is a festival of gratitude and respect.
"Whilst many may have a different view, fishing has reduced dramatically in the bay, as has fishing more generally."
Evans said the town did not have "a single fishing boat" anymore, which she said was a "matter of regret not celebration".
She added local boat owners that do fish the waters do so "sustainably".
Evans said she respected the views expressed in the letter, but that it did not reflect the town's "lived experience as a community", which is "one of respect not entitlement".
"The huge industrial trawlers which fish the waters around the UK are quite a different matter altogether," she added.
Aberaeron Yacht Club has been approached for a response to the cabbage fiesta proposal.
Huw Edwards criticised for entering festival poetry competition
Police dog sniffs out man hiding behind fake wall on 300-plant cannabis farm
Son who kept mum's body in freezer for years collected £78k of her benefits
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
More than 150 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel
Prison early release scheme comes 'at expense of victims', grieving partner says despite policy changes
Breast cancer checks missing most women under 50 who are at risk, says study
Heatwaves are changing summer weddings – here's how to plan for one
I left my wife and twins behind – why this Nigerian man fled South Africa
There's a reason child vaccination rates are falling – and it's not social media
Ariana Grande has had enough of body comments, but 'scrutiny' will linger
Woman has pioneering womb surgery to fix 'miracle' baby with intestines outside its body
Starting uni? What to know about the free NHS meningitis B jab in England
'I brought up my family in a London graveyard'
How parents and pupils took on 'cruel', 'authoritarian' schools – and won
Get news, tips and ideas for your family with our Summer Essential newsletter
Calvin Harris performs an ocean of songs live in Glasgow
Hum along to the new series of the high-tempo music quiz
The Scottish Premiership returns with chaos, comebacks and controversy
Follow the wildfires in Europe and the firefighters tackling them
Analysis: Trump challenged by cold reality from top allies
France wildfires reveal hundreds of WW2 shells in village
'Rape list' part of misogyny girls face at school
Ariana Grande says decision to step back 'was not reactive or impulsive'
There's a reason child vaccination rates are falling – and it's not social media
Huw Edwards criticised for entering festival poetry competition
BP's $5.7bn profit highest since 2022 as Iran war pushes up oil price
What will happen when a SpaceX rocket collides with the Moon?
Five dead in Moscow region as Ukraine continues warehouse strikes
EU calls for stronger borders after Ceuta migrant crossings
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
