Tips for Fishing the Environmentally Friendly Way

Over the last decade or so, there has been an increased emphasis on sustainability in the world of fishing. The idea is to promote environmentally friendly fishing practices for tourists and the fishing industry alike to protect fish species and the planet as a whole.

Here’s a quick look at some of the considerations you should take into account to ensure you’re engaged in green fishing in Alaska.

Abide by catch and release laws

This is one of the most important things anglers can do to protect the environment. Make sure you follow all of the laws and regulations regarding the size of the fish you keep. These regulations are generally set by local governments or wildlife agencies. These size limits prevent areas from being over-fished. If the fish is not within the appropriate size range, let it go back into the water.

Catch and release fishing, even when the fish is of an appropriate size, is also a great way to enjoy the thrill of fishing while allowing the fish to continue to live and breed, making it easier to sustain strong population numbers of the species in that area.

Take out a row boat or canoe

If you aren’t planning on going out very far into your local waters, consider using a row boat or canoe rather than a motorboat. This will help you to cut down on carbon emissions.

If you do need to use a motor boat, you should make sure you follow all of the rules and regulations associated with the use of those boats in certain habitats and areas. These rules are in place to protect nesting birds and other animals.

Use environmentally friendly tackle

For many years, lead was commonly used in fishing tackle. However, this is not exactly an environmentally friendly option—an overabundance of lead in the water can result in poisoning fish and other animals. Instead of using lead jigs and sinkers, use fishing equipment that has been designed to be environmentally friendly and will not cause any harm to animals in the area. Generally, these will be either steel or tin pieces. You can also purchase biodegradable fishing lines, which deteriorate over time in the water rather than remaining there indefinitely like other types of fishing lines, which can pose a safety hazard for fish and other creatures.

Dispose of trash properly

You’re going to have a lot of equipment and items you take out in your boat with you. Make sure you’re conscious of what you do with any garbage you create. Bring back all trash, especially garbage that can become dangerous for wildlife, such as plastic bags, plastic rings for beverage cans and other such plastic items that do not biodegrade and may pose a safety hazard.

These are just a few of the simplest steps you can take as a fisher to reduce your impact on the environment. For more tips about how you can focus on environmentally friendly fishing in Alaska, contact the team at Phantom Tri-River Charters.