With fish stocks clearly depleting questions are being asked about the legitimacy of recreational fishing. Should we be OK with even more fish being taken from our oceans and rivers and to what extent are anglers having a detrimental effect on the situation?
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Personally I have no interest in fishing beyond the fact that I love eating fish and am quite happy to be presented with a nice example to cook. I am aware, however, than some two million people in the UK alone fish each year and with so many people loving and participating in the sport any issues raised are liable to be very hot potatoes indeed.
Commercial Fishing
Personally I feel that those who criticise anglers for contributing to depleting fish stocks have got things a little arse about face. Surely if we are going to restrict catches then the commercial fishing operations that remove such vast quantities from the oceans should be our primary target. I know all of the political and economic implications of restricting commercial fishing but it would be a sure fire way of rejuvenating stocks. I really don’t think we can have a situation where you ban individuals from fishing for their own food when you allow commercial fishing with all its environmental implications in depleting the stocks and transporting the catch to carry on. Basically angling for your own food is much more eco-friendly and justifiable particularly when you factor in the huge volume of bycatch landed during commercial fishing.
Economy
There is also the fact the anglers contribute greatly to the economy. I understand that in the UK alone over £1 billion is spent each year on equipment, bait, travel and subsistence sustaining many businesses, keeping people in work and generating a big tax revenue for the Government. With anglers taking a relatively small proportion of the fish caught, the economic benefits of the sport should not be overlooked.
Catch and Release
I do have a bit of a problem with catch and release. The idea of people hunting fish, spearing them with a hook and scaring them half to death simply for their own entertainment does not sit well with me. I know there is some debate about how much pain and anguish is inflicted on the fish but I don’t see how there can’t be at least some detrimental effect on the animal. If you are going to eat the thing then fine, but if you put it through all that only to throw it back well I am not sure about that.
Popular Demand
I think with so many people fishing regularly it is pointless to have any notions of being able to stop the sport and I wouldn’t want to anyway if the catch is to be eaten. I would just like to see the most ethical possible practice. Fish should be caught to eat unless the catch is unsuitable for food or is an endangered species in which case it should be thrown back. This is not ideal but is probably as good as it gets. Anglers should keep their take to the minimum they require, don’t leave litter and used hooks and lines and should keep an eye on fellow anglers for unethical behaviour.
Responsible
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Most of the anglers I have met are very responsible and are lovers of the natural environment. They are people who learn to understand and appreciate nature and who know where their food comes from which more than can be said for many others. Anglers tend to be at one with the world, equipped with their fishing tackle and fresh bait they engage in a battle of wits with the fish and there is something primeval and right about that.
