PETA requests rights to GH lighthouse

Thu, Jun 4, 2009

A controversial environmental group is looking to turn Grand Haven's lighthouse into a center for "fish empathy," which would sit right next to the popular fishing spot.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the National Parks Service to explain its bid for the lighthouse.

"For years, lighthouses have helped protect those at sea, so it seems appropriate that they would be used to protect sea life, too," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said.

In the letter, PETA Director Sarah King spells out plans to install educational displays and a 300-square-foot "fish empathy quilt." The group also wants to open a cafe at the lighthouse, which would serve faux fish sticks and other vegetarian food.

"The more that people learn about how intelligent and sensitive fish are, the less likely they'll be to stick a fork or a hook in them," Reiman said.

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 allows government agencies or nonprofits to attain lighthouses if they comply with specific conditions.

Any group that takes over the site must make it available for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic preservation, according to the National Park Service.

Boatswain Mate 1st Class Troy Davis of the Coast Guard said his Muskegon office is responsible for maintaining the Grand Haven lighthouse.

The rules don't allow entities to paint or change them without permission from a national historic group, Davis said, and obtaining rights to the lighthouses is a lengthy process.

Holland's "Big Red" Lighthouse has gone through the preservation act program, as well as many of the privately owned lighthouses along Lake Michigan, he said.

Michigan Lighthouses still available under the program include Grand Haven's South Pierhead inner and entrance lighthouses, Waugoshance Lighthouse and Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse.

PETA, a national organization, has been active in West Michigan recently. Last week, the group asked Holland to turn down a request for horse-drawn wagons. Nonetheless, Holland City Council unanimously approved the horse-drawn wagon ordinance this week.

Holland Sentinel contributed to this report.