How to fish sustainably

Fishing is a popular hobby and pastime. Not only does it mean you’re in the great outdoors, it’s also known for being relaxing and therapeutic. In recent years there has been a big drive to fish in ways that don’t damage the environment. Here are my top tips on how to ensure you enjoy yourself while also being eco-friendly.

Consider Catch, Photo and Release

There is a protocol that is used in sport fishing competitions, where the aim is not to catch fish to eat. To ensure ethical practice, the fish are caught, photographed and released back into to water. This supports all the fun of the activity, without removing anything unnecessarily from the natural habitat.

Remember that fish should only be out of the water for a few minutes to ensure they are not injured and to reduce stress.

While this approach does not involve taking the fish home, you will still need a good quality bait such as this carp bait.

Utilise the whole fish

There are of course occasions where you might like to take the fish home to eat. This is a natural part of the food chain, and there are lots of areas where the fish population is managed for this purpose.

To be as sustainable as possible, think about using the whole of the fish. Once you have used the edible parts, the bones and other inedible areas can be composted. They break down to form a very healthy fertiliser, which is brilliant for your plants, flowers, and home grown vegetables.

Think about your equipment

A rod and reel is the best way to ensure that you quickly release any bycatch. It’s also a strong method to prevent overfishing as it only allows one fish to be caught at a time.

Be mindful of taking all of you litter and equipment hone with you. Lines and sinkers can harm wildlife in around fishing waters. Have a good look around before you head home. In addition, using lead-free equipment and non-toxic sinkers eliminate the risk of contamination when you are using them in the water.

Be mindful of what you fish and when

It is important to keep up-to-date with which fish are endangered due to overfishing. Not only does catching these species add to the growing ecological problem, you could face a fine.

There are also rules around fishing certain species when reproducing is taking place, so be sure to check this before you start catching for the day.

By following this advice, you can be sure to have fun and help preserve the environment for future generations.