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Introduction
- Do you take the same care to release a fish if no one is
watching? Do you honor the spirit of the rules and regulations?
Do you leave your fishing spot as clean, or cleaner, than
you found it? These and similar questions represent our fishing
ethics. Ethics is both the rules governing our sport and,
most importantly, the principles of right conduct. Each of
us needs to take personal responsibility for protecting our
fisheries and the environment.
Ethics
– A code of proper conduct
Dictionary - NOUN: 1. A set of principles of right conduct.
2. The study of the general nature of morals and of the
specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy.
3. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person
or the members of a profession.
Our fisheries
are under more stress than ever - We are fortunate to be able
to fish for some of the most sought after game fish in the
world. Further they inhabit some of the most beautiful places
found anywhere. Indeed we are very lucky. However, most salmon
and steelhead have been over fished, polluted, and denied
their natural habitat to the point of extinction. Virtually
all of the fish we chase today are endangered. Similarly we
have devastated our rivers with dams, pollution, erosion,
and human encroachment. And finally, our sport is declining.
Since 1998 we have seen a ten percent drop in the number of
licensed fishermen across the country. Higher costs, increased
regulations, and other interests all are contributing factors,
but the quality of the fishing experience is also under attack
by vandalism, lack of etiquette/manners/respect of other fishermen,
and disregard of property.
Without
ethics we have no sport. Without people abiding
by fishing regulations and common courtesy there won’t
be any fish left. Our fisheries are no longer an unlimited
resource that can withstand abuse. Today, as growing numbers
of special interests place increasing demands on both our
fisheries and the environment, the need to encourage a strong
outdoor ethic is more important than ever. Each of us must
accept personal responsibility for protecting outdoor resources.
Don't
be lulled into thinking that ethics is of no importance to
the future of our sport! Any digression from the highest of
standards represents an opportunity for those opposed to fishing
to use it as an example. The animal rights movement has gathered
such momentum and influence that it has the ear of governmental
circles all over the world. They are very well organized,
often will selectively employ the truth to support their objectives,
and will use any questionable act against us. We must all
take an active stand at protecting our fisheries and the environment
and our behavior and actions must set the highest of standards.
There is no topic more important to the future of our fisheries
resources than how we conduct ourselves while engaged in our
sport. Remember, when you're out fishing the rest of the public
doesn't see you as an individual. They view you as a fisherman.
Your actions reflect on all of us.
Have fun!
Remember, fishing is a sport, it is recreation. We
fish to have fun and to create fond memories, not argue with
others, not to get drunk, nor imperil yourself. Enjoy the
activity, the time with your fishing partners, and the outdoor
experience, no matter what kind of fishing luck you’re
having. If someone else wants to act disrespectfully, walk
away. No stretch of water is worth endangering your health
over.
Support
fishing regulations and obey the law. Ethics
are simple matters of right and wrong. It’s only the
practice of ethics that is difficult. Regulations are set
to manage fisheries now and for the future and are based on
the best scientific advice available. Acquaint yourself with
daily quotas, size and possession limits, tackle and bait
restrictions, and seasonal closures. Regulations may also
change throughout the year resulting from changes in fishing
conditions or numbers of returning fish etc. Most states have
a website
where you can see current regulations.
Be
Knowledgeable - Fish have invaluable worth
as living creatures to be admired for their beauty and grace;
appreciated for their individual adaptations for survival.
By learning respect for all the forces that must work in harmony
to produce a healthy fishery, we can ensure good fishing for
generations to come.
Never
stop learning about fishing in general and the specific fishing
you do. Knowledge will not only improve your fishing know-how,
but will allow you to help other anglers who may be less skilled
than yourself. An educated angler is an effective angler.
Teach a kid to fish
- There is no better way to promote the sport than to open
up the angling world to a new angler. Kids are the future
of our sport. Whether they are a relative's or neighbor’s,
we must give them an opportunity to experience firsthand the
excitement fishing has to offer. With all the diversions facing
today's kids many of them will never have the opportunity
to experience our sport firsthand. If we don't pass on what
we know to the next generation of anglers, our sport will
suffer in the future.
Every Single Fish Counts
– Respect fish and treat them humanely, they are sentient
beings. Some runs are so small that every single fish counts
towards the future. To ensure future generations of anglers
can enjoy some of what we all enjoy today, please use proper
methods of catch-and-release and respect all species of fish.
- Practice
CPR (catch, photo and release)
- Take
only what you need. This is called selective
harvest. People should realize that just because it’s
legal, it doesn’t have to go home. Keep no more fish
than needed for consumption, never wastefully discard fish
that are retained. Limit
your take, don't take the limit. The
phrase “A fish is too valuable to only
be caught once,” was coined in the 1880’s
by freshwater anglers.
- Use
tackle and techniques that minimize harm to fish
when engaging in "catch and release" angling.
Use single, barbless hooks or bend down the barbs. This
makes it much easier to release fish - and remove hooks
from your finger as well! Carry pliers to aid in a quick
release.
- Handle
fish properly to avoid mortality
1. Play your fish as quickly as possible.
2. Don't drag fish on shore, keep them in the water if possible.
3. Use wet, bare hands when handling all fish. Please don’t
use gloves.
4. Don’t keep any fish out of water for more than
a few seconds.
5. Don't try removing a deep hook, simply cut the leader
short and release fish.
6. Don’t place your hand inside the gill plate.
7. Always revive your fish, then gently release.
- Never
fish on spawning grounds or over redds.
- When
the water temperature is over 70 degrees steelhead
and salmon are at extreme risk. Hooking and playing a salmon
or steelhead under such conditions causes a great deal of
stress and can result in the death of any fish. Many salmon
fishermen refrain from fishing under these conditions.
- Do
Fish Feel Pain? - Recent research has extended
the debate about whether or not fish feel pain. Here is
an overview article published in the Smithsonian
Magazine that discusses both points of view. I am a
firm believer in letting science be the foundation for our
fishing ethics and practices. In this case I think the jury
is still out however this research bears watching very closely.
- Practice
Ethics at the Grocery Store - A big part of
eating right is making the right choices about what you
eat. Seafood, the only wild animals that humans consume
on a global scale, sets a prime example. Eating swordfish
is less like eating chicken than it is like eating bear.
Whether your concerns are environmental, ethical, or bluntly
pragmatic, you need to consider the impact of your food
choices on the continued viability of marine resources.
The
Monterey Bay Aquarium publishes a “Seafood
Scorecard” that can help you choose seafood that's
good for you and good for the oceans.
Keep
Nature Healthy -
Protect the environment. Each aquatic ecosystem is complex
and unique. Prevent transfer of aquatic species or weeds from
one water body to another. Never contaminate water bodies
or shorelines with litter
-
Respect property - Don’t
trespass! - Respect public and private property. There is
a reason that sign was put up. Always ask permission before
entering private property – most landowners will respond
positively in return for your courtesy. Never damage gates,
fences, or livestock. Leave natural areas as you found them,
keep campsites clean and be careful with campfires. If you
are fishing on private land and keeping fish, share your
catch with the landowner.
- Don’t
Litter - Put yourself in the shoes and eyes
of the person whose land you are standing on (and you better
believe it belongs to someone somewhere). How would you
feel if you walked your land every Monday and found a new
assortment of litter left by thoughtless fishermen or others
over the weekend? Wouldn't your natural reaction be to post
your land? The eyesore it leaves is only secondary to what
it does to others that fish in the same area.
- Take
along a plastic garbage bag on every trip,
hang it from your belt, and just collect up the trash you
happen to come upon. If we all did this, pretty soon there
wouldn’t be any litter.
- Wade
only when necessary. The aquatic food chain
is fragile - Never wade for any distance in the water. The
sediment stirred up can put the fish downstream off for
the rest of the day. Get out of the water and walk near
the stream - but avoid unnecessarily trampling the banks
and growth. Do not walk from pool to pool, or riffle to
riffle in the water. Avoid using the stream as a path. Finally,
clean your waders after use - diseases can be spread to
otherwise healthy fishing sites this way.
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Prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals
- Take all precautionary measures necessary to prevent the
spread of exotic plants and animals, including live baitfish,
into non-native habitats. When using live bait, do not throw
remaining bait into the stream, lake, reservoir, etc - bait
species can reproduce and cause harm to aquatic ecosystems
Extend
the Golden Rule to your Fellow Fisherman -
Fishing etiquette is basically common sense to anyone who
has spent any time fishing. Most of it simply involves treating
both the environment and your fellow fisherman with respect.
While you’re fishing, treat everyone you meet with respect,
and honesty, and the result will be to bring out the best
in most people.
Practice
courtesy toward other anglers and respect their rights. Share
the water with other users. See our discussion on etiquette
here
You
Must be an Activist -
It is the responsibility of an ethical angler to pass on the
ideals of responsible recreational fishing to newcomers. If
you don’t take responsibility, no one else will. You
cant rely on the other guy to do it. You support fishing because
you want it to live on.
Fortunately,
99% of us follow the rules but that one percent of violators
represents more than 30,000 bad guys. The unethical angler
is a threat to our fisheries resources and outdoor recreation.
If you observe a violation of any of the regulations you should
record your observations promptly and take photographs if
possible. Record details of the violation; date and time;
vehicle, or boat license number and a physical description
of the individuals. If you see someone doing something wrong,
tell him. You don’t need to be a jerk about it, but
don't let it go.
We need
to act politically. Year after year, sportfishers have given
up a little more at time. I believe that continuing on this
path will result in fewer fishermen and maybe even kill the
sport completely. Rather than us “doing the right thing”
first and hoping the others will act responsibly, I think
we should be taking the stand, “We will give up xxx
if you give yyy. Politics is not a fair sport.
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