Earth Day A Great Time To Protect The Pacific Ecosystem

Earth day is the perfect time for anglers to think about how fortunate they are and realize that it is a privilege to fish in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The Belmont Shore-based Sportfishing Conservancy believes that with this privilege comes an obligation to be stewards of the sea. To care for it, nurture it and make sure that our ocean will be healthy and vibrant for future generations.

   “How do we maintain abundant resources and a vibrant ocean with 30 million people living near or on the California Coast?” asks Sportfishing Conservancy President Tom Raftican.

With this in mind, here are a few suggestions on how you can make a positive impact in caring for this resource and all the creatures that inhabit it.

Practice CPR (catch, photograph and release) Catch and release fishing is a great way to maintain a healthy fishery while enjoying the benefits of a day on the water. Never take fish home that you do not intend to eat.

Use circle hooks- Circle hooks do less harm to the fish and allow you to return them to the sea unharmed.

Take a kid fishing- you can’t protect what you don’t understand. Kids who get out on the water and see all the creatures that inhabit the sea are more likely to care about fish.

Never throw anything overboard. Dispose of used fishing line and other recyclable material in the appropriate container or save and recycle at the dock.

If you drink coffee, use the same cup all day if possible or bring a reusable mug.  For bottled or canned beverages, recycle on the boat or on land.

Sharpen your fishhooks and consider flattening the barbs.  It allows the fish to be unhooked (and caught again) with minimal impact on the fish.

Reuse or recycle the plastic bag your fillets will be placed in.

Use a fish 'elevator' (inverted milk crate with fishing weights) to lower undersized or non-targeted fish down at least 60 feet to help them recover from barometric trauma effects.  You can use it to haul your gear down to the boat.

If you filet your own fish, compost the parts of the fish you don't consume.

Use biodegradable soap for all of your fishing (and other) clothes.

Share the ride.  Commute with a fishing buddy and save energy (and parking fees too!).

Be a leader. If you see someone abusing the environment say something. Don’t watch someone throw monofilament line into the water or take an illegal fish. Do what’s right.

The ethos of anglers has made great strides in conservation over the past decades but we are not without fault. Lets make Earth Day the day when we reevaluate what we can do to be better stewards of the sea. If we do that, the future will be brighter than ever.