Sustainable Fishing
Recreational fishing is a popular activity among roughly 55 million Americans. It also supports hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide.
Despite recreational fishing’s popularity, many climate activists are concerned about how this activity affects the environment.
The good news is that you can maintain your favorite hobby while also supporting the planet. The answer is sustainable fishing.
Learn more about sustainable fishing, its importance, and how to practice it below.
What Is Sustainable Fishing?
Sustainable Fishing
Sustainable fishing focuses on practices that allow fish to thrive long-term in marine and freshwater environments. National Geographic explains that sustainable fishing guarantees that populations of ocean and freshwater wildlife will be around in the future.
The growth of the sustainable fishing movement is a response to the effects of overfishing. Many modern fishing practices have depleted fish and shellfish populations, causing scientists to fear that the world’s fisheries could collapse altogether and eliminate an essential food source.
Why Does Sustainable Fishing Matter?
Sustainable fishing benefits marine life, the planet, and the humans who inhabit it. The following are some of the most significant reasons to prioritize sustainable fishing:
Sustainable fishing protects marine fauna by respecting underwater ecosystems and adapting to fish reproductive rates, ensuring balance and survival for all species.
Sustainable fishing using selective methods and avoids indiscriminate capture of endangered species.
Sustainable fishing reduces waste in many ways, such as using bycatch to make fishmeal and minimizing food waste.
Sustainable fishing contributes to food security; small-scale fisheries account for two-thirds of catches meant for human consumption.
Sustainable fishing creates jobs for approximately 90 percent of the global fishing industry.
Sustainable fishing is a responsible and effective alternative to destructive fishing practices, which rely on aggressive methods like trawling and making indiscriminate catches.
Sustainable Recreational Fishing Tips
Many practitioners of destructive fishing are fishing for commercial purposes. However, recreational fishers can also make adjustments to their approach to be more sustainable and eco-friendly, including the following:
Use Safer Lures
Avoid lures that contain lead, which can cause physical damage and behavioral changes in fish when exposed to large amounts. Instead, look for lures and weights made from safer materials like tin, brass, and stainless steel.
Don’t Leave Trash Behind
Leaving trash behind, from fishing lines and water bottles to food wrappers and human waste, is harmful to the planet, especially if your trash gets into the river, lake, or ocean.
Don’t leave debris behind that could harm sea life, birds, or other creatures wandering through the area. Double-check your surroundings and take everything with you when you go.
Practice Catch-and-Release Fishing
Catch-and-release fishing involves throwing fish back into the water, giving them a chance to live and potentially mate or reproduce in the future.
Consider using barbless circle hooks instead of J-hooks to prevent internal damage when practicing catch-and-release fishing. Be sure to use correct handling practices, such as keeping your fish wet, too.
Compost Your Catches
If you take your catches home to eat, compost the parts you don’t consume, such as the skin and bones. Add these parts to a compost pile so they can contribute to healthier plant life later.
Stick to Local Regulations
Always abide by local fishing regulations. They’re in place for a reason (and that reason is not to make your life harder). Part of being a responsible, sustainable fisherman is knowing where you’re allowed to fish and what you can catch.
Best Locations for Sustainable Recreational Fishing
Whether you’re staying stateside or want to take a fishing trip on the other side of the globe, there are plenty of places in the world where you can practice sustainable recreational fishing.
Here are some of the best locations and the fish you might encounter during your visit:
Florida: Tarpon, Sailfish, Spotted Sea Trout, Snook, Red Drum, Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Grouper, Snapper, Mackerel
The Bahamas: Nassau Grouper, Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Billfish
The Caribbean: Tarpon, Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Snook, Barracuda, Marlin, Swordfish, Sailfish, Snapper, Grouper, Bonito, Mackerel, Jacks
Mexico: Red Snapper, Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna, Tarpon, Cobia, Gulf Flounder
Thailand: Giant Mekong Catfish, Chao Phraya Catfish, Giant Siamese Carp, Paku, Barramundi, Thai Mahseer, Giant Snakehead
South Carolina: Crappie, Bream, Striped Bass, Catfish, Trout
France: Salmon, Trout, Catfish, Pike, Perch
Italy: Seabream, Seabass, Dentex, Pandora, Mahi Mahi, Albacore, Bluefin Tuna
Greece: Amberjack, Bluefin Tuna, Dentex, Dusky Grouper, Pandora
Level Up Your Sustainable Fishing with See Fish
Sustainable recreational fishing allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can keep up your hobby while also supporting the planet and combating the harmful effects of destructive fishing.
Do you want to make your fishing excursions even more exciting and eco-friendly? Check out the See Fish app.
See Fish uses AI to identify your catches, let you know if they’re endangered, and tell you if you can keep them or need to release them back into the water.
