LIHUE >> The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking a Kauai man to give up fishing after the Coast Guard had to rescue him when a 230-pound tuna capsized his boat.

PETA says Anthony Wichman should use the near-death experience to consider the cruelty of fishing.

The Garden Island  reports 54-year-old Wichman declined to talk about it Thursday.

The Honolulu-based company Honua Consulting on Wednesday created a petition to protest PETA’s action. The petition on the website (http://www.causes.com/actions/1757249-support-hawai-is-fisherman-and-traditional-fishing-practices) says fishing is a critical part of Hawaii’s native culture.

Wichman was rescued a week ago. He got caught in fishing line and was dragged underwater when his 14-foot boat capsized while hooking the ahi. He freed himself, got on top of the hull and called his wife.