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Sustainable Fishing Practices for a Cleaner and Greener Earth
As passionate anglers and lovers of the great outdoors, we at Angling Direct understand the importance of preserving our planet's natural resources. Fishing is a wonderful pastime, but it's essential that we do it sustainably to ensure the longevity of our waters (freshwater and saltwater) and the fish species that call them home.
What is the message for Earth Day 2023?
For Earth Day 2023, the theme is 'Invest in Our Planet’, which has encouraged us to really think about Earth-friendly fishing techniques. There are many sustainable fishing practices that anglers can adopt to help protect our planet. Here are just a few examples:
1. Protecting fish populations
One of the easiest ways to fish sustainably is to practice catch and release. This means that you catch the fish, take a quick photo if you want, and then release it back into the water unharmed. This helps to maintain fish populations, as well as protect larger fish that are often the most important for breeding.
2. Eco-friendly Fishing Gear
Barbless hooks are a great way to reduce harm to fish. They are much easier to remove from a fish's mouth, which means that the fish is less likely to be injured during the removal process. This can be particularly important for catch-and-release fishing, as it can help to ensure that the fish is healthy and unharmed when it is released back into the water.
Why are Circle Hooks Better?
You could also swap your hook shape, from J-hooks to circle hooks, minimising internal damage. In catch-and-release fishing, circle hooks have been shown to reduce deep hooking.
If you are picking out waders or tackle boxes, make sure that they are made from recycled materials. You should also look for rigs made of glass beads, knotless knots, and other gear made of recycled materials.
3. Use Sustainable Fishing Bait
When choosing fishing bait, it's important to consider the impact that it may have on the environment. Using sustainable, more natural baits such as worms, crickets or minnows is a good way to fish sustainably.
Alternatively, swap to eco-friendly fishing lures or artificial baits that can be used time and time again within damaging the ecosystem of the water you fish. These baits are readily available at Angling Direct online and in stores and can be caught without causing any damage to the ecosystem.
Top Sustainable Fishing Baits
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£3.59 -
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£5.99 - £7.99
Do remember to NOT dump the rest of your unused bait at the end of a fish session. Although throwing the rest of your bait into the water seems harmless enough, it actually can be quite harmful to the ecosystem. According to the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers campaign, bait dumping is one-way invasive aquatic species and pathogens are introduced into waterways.
4. Observe Fishing Regulations
Fishing regulations are in place to protect fish populations and the environment. As responsible anglers, it's our duty to obey these regulations to ensure that we fish sustainably. Always check local regulations before you fish and make sure that you understand the catch limits and size limits for the species that you are targeting.
Fisheries often establish a list of prohibited items such as bait, fishing rig presentation, and hooks that are forbidden in the water to safeguard the well-being of fish and provide a pleasant fishing experience for all.
It's crucial to adhere to these regulations not only to show respect for the fishery and fellow anglers but also to protect the environment.
5. Dispose of fishing line properly
Fishing lines can be extremely harmful to wildlife if it's not disposed of properly. Never leave it lying around where it could entangle wildlife, such as birds, fish or other aquatic life.
We suggest that you take your used or old fishing lines home with you and when you are ready to dispose of your fishing line, pop into your local Angling Direct to dispose of it in one of our Line Recycling Bins. You are not only preventing harm to wildlife but also lowering your plastic waste by recycling old lines!
Support Environment Conservation Campaigns
In addition to the 5 sustainable fishing acts above, you could help support those fighting for cleaner waters and better environments for fish and anglers.
Fishing Rod Licence:
Purchasing these support the Environment Agency in investing back into our aquatic resources.
River Action UK:
Support them in rescuing Britain’s rivers as they apply pressure on industrial and agricultural producers.
Anglers Against Pollution:
An Angling Trust Campaign that has support packs, available at Angling Direct.
Furthermore, you can contribute to fisheries and related charities and organizations by providing financial support, participating in charity events, or even organising your own litter picking. This will make it easier to acquire the resources necessary to clean rivers, restock waters, and address poaching and pollution issues.
By adopting these sustainable fishing practices, anglers can help to ensure the longevity of our oceans and the fish species that live within them. At Angling Direct, we are committed to promoting sustainable fishing practices and encouraging anglers to fish responsibly. By doing our part, we can all help to create a cleaner and greener Earth for future generations to enjoy.
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