The New Fishing Rules

© Doug Covin

Sport fishing is big business, enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. In South Florida alone, Salt water fishing is a multi-billion dollar a year industry and is responsible for close to three hundred thousand jobs both directly and indirectly related to sport fishing.

Our oceans and the fish that swim in them are precious, renewable resources that need to be respected and managed properly. Sport fishermen and recreational anglers can play an important role in insuring that there are plenty of fish in the oceans for the future and health, of our industry and the world’s oceans. By adapting and practicing an ethical involvement in their daily fishing lives, fishing enthusiast can be the first line of defense against those who choose to deplete and steal our resources for short term financial gain.

The following is a list of principles that will help you to make a difference and fish the right way.

Respect What You Catch

Having a deep respect for the species you catch is the first step in fishing the right way. Learn the basic biology and unique capabilities of the fish you catch. By gaining a deeper understanding about your quarry, you will realize just how incredible and complicated these fish are and at the same time gain insight on how to be a more effective fisherman or woman.

When harvesting fish for the table, take only what you can eat. Take great care in icing and filleting your catch so that there is little waste and so you can enjoy the full benefits that eating fresh fish provides for you and your family. Harvesting and eating fish represents the circle of life.

Release and Revive

© Deborah CummingsNot only is it important to release more fish then you keep, it is equally important to take the time to do it the right way. When releasing Bill fish species, always make the effort to cut your leader as close to the hook as possible. Leaving a long piece of leader, fluttering against the body of a released fish will continue to stress the fish and will decrease its chance for survival.

When fish are tired from the fight, use as much time as it takes to revive and “swim” them until they are recovered. It is unprofessional to jerk a leader to break a fish off and it shows complete disregard for the fish if you run them over after you have released them. Never pull fish from the water unless you intend to keep them for the table as this can be counterproductive to their survival. Remember that the survival rate of the fish you are releasing is directly related to the ability for you to enjoy fishing and/or make a living doing what you love.

Inform and Report

I consider people who choose to break the law by poaching, killing undersized billfish for taxidermy commissions, or generally showing no respect for our resources to be the same as someone who would break into my house and steal my personnel property. It is a professional’s job to take action when observing such behavior. Don’t be afraid to stick up for your rights and your profession by first informing the violators as to why, what they are doing is wrong. Try to educate them on the negative effect they have on the rest of us. If they insist on being greedy and continue to steal from you, it is your job to report them.

I am sure everyone would report a theft of their personnel property to the police. Poachers are stealing from you and make it harder for you to make an honest living and/or enjoy fishing. Every time a report comes out about a charter boat breaking the law, it puts all charter boats and recreational fishermen in a bad light. Commercial fishing interests use these examples to say that sport fishermen just want everything for themselves and are not concerned with the resource.

Get Involved

Be directly involved with your sport or livelihood. Don’t let others decide on the future of sport fishing. The commercial fishing industry is extremely organized. You can have a direct impact on the future of management decisions by being educated and involved with the issues. Join organizations like The Billfish Foundation and International Game Fish Association. Your membership dues and donations go a long way to protect your rights as they relate to the issues that directly affect your future. These organizations are here to speak for you and to voice your concerns and insure that you have a say in management decisions. They work very hard for you and you should help them whenever you can because you are really helping yourself.

© Sergio TristaoIf you are uninformed and not involved with the serious issues that face the recreational fishing industry, then you forfeit your right to complain after the fact. Both TBF and the IGFA have had tremendous victories protecting your right to fish and the way your resource is managed. Stand up and be counted.

Volunteer

Take time out of your schedule to volunteer some of your time to fishing related charities or causes. When you give the gift of time, you can impact other humans in a very positive way. Get involved with the local school system to share your knowledge with the next generation, at a school career day. Help a child with a serious mental or physical handicap to catch their first fish or enjoy a day on the water. Donate a number of charters to injured military veterans or active service men and woman who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Give some time to TBF and the IGFA, logging tags or setting up for a fund raiser. When you volunteer you are sharing an important life principle with your children and showing both the community and your clients that you care.