SERVING fish in restaurants at Sea World is like dishing up poodle burgers at a dog show, an animal activist group says.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has asked the boss of the Gold Coast theme park, Jeff Hughes, to remove all fish dishes from the menu.



"Sea World are running marine education programs, teaching the public about the importance of marine conservation of these animals, while they're actually serving their flesh in their restaurants," activist Claire Fryer told AAP.



"It's like serving up poodle burgers at a dog show, and we really do feel it's the same thing.



"They're asking people to appreciate these animals for their beauty and their intelligence and their sensitivity yet at the same time they're participating in their painful slaughter."



Ms Fryer said it would not concern people if fish was not sold in the theme park's eateries.



"I think the public should consider what they're eating when they're going to a venue which is supposedly teaching about these animals, and then the option is there when they open their menu to eat their flesh."



PETA said fish experienced excruciating decompression when dragged from the ocean's depths, often causing their eyes to pop out of their sockets and their stomachs to push out through their mouths.



When tossed on to ships' decks, many fish slowly suffocated or were crushed to death, it said.

The group also said serving fish puts Sea World's customers at risk.



"It has been found that fish can absorb chemicals and sewage and other pollution from the water they live in and that can be passed on through their flesh to people who eat their flesh," Ms Fryer said.



But that claim doesn't impress Chris Irwin, nutrition researcher at Griffith University's Health Institute.



"I think it's a fairly flaky point they're trying to make," he said.



"Fish is probably one of our best protein sources. It's low in saturated fat, it's low in total fat, and has plenty of omega 3 fatty acids.



"Comparing that to things like farm animals that we eat, like pigs that roll around in the mud, fish is probably a better choice than some others."



Sea World has declined to comment on the demands.

Originally published as Fish on Sea World menu offensive - PETA