The Big Question: Is Recreational Fishing Ethical?
With the weather warming up, you may be dreaming about summer days spent out on the water with a fishing pole in your hand. Recreational fishing can be a great way to unwind, get some quality time outdoors, and engage with nature. But you might wonder if fishing is really a very ethical hobby.
The ethics of recreational fishing depend a lot on both your motives and your perspective. Read on to explore whether recreational fishing is ethical and what you can do to keep your hobby good for the world.
Pain and Death
Of course, one of the biggest questions when it comes to the ethics of fishing is if it’s ethical to catch and kill fish. Experts estimate that in developed nations, about 10 percent of people fish for fun, meaning that there are about 220 million recreational fishers worldwide. If each of those people catches just five fish a year, that’s more than a billion fish that are killed every year.
In many cases, recreational fishers may practice catch and release fishing, letting fish go after they’ve caught them without killing them. But about 10 percent of these fish will still die from their wounds, and how would you like to have a hook stuck through your lip for someone else’s pleasure? From this viewpoint, recreational fishing may not be a very ethical practice.
Environmental Considerations
Before we write off recreational fishing as unethical, however, we need to take a look at the environmental considerations. Each year, the average person eats about 19 pounds of fish, much of which may come from fish farms or other commercial operations. These businesses can have a serious impact on the environment, including releasing more pollutants into our water supply.
Many recreational fishers eat the fish they catch, which can help to offset some of the demand for farmed fish. This sustainable fishing is much healthier for the environment and may help to keep fish farming operations limited. From this perspective, recreational fishing can be a more ethical way to consume fish.
Deciding if Fishing is Ethical for You
In the end, the decision about whether recreational fishing is ethical is a personal one. For many people, it comes down to a question of their motivation for fishing. If you’re catching the fish to eat, the practice may be more ethical; if you’re catching and releasing them, you may have to come to terms with the suffering you cause the fish.
There are also some ways you can make your recreational fishing more ethical. First of all, always follow fishing regulations. This should include getting a fishing license, as these measures are meant to protect native fish populations.
If you practice catch and release, handle the fish as gently as possible, and do your part to keep trash and pollutants out of the water.
Find Ethical Recreational Fishing
Recreational fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy some time in nature and provide more sustainable food for yourself and your family. The question of ethical angling comes down to whether you’re fishing for food or just for the sake of hooking a fish. Whatever your reasons, make sure you’re doing your part to practice ethical fishing as much as you can.
If you’d like to discover ethical recreational fishing opportunities, check out the rest of our site at Eastern Angling. If you can dream it, we can fish it, and we’re here to help you have the adventure of a lifetime. Check out our trip options today and start living that fish, sleep, repeat life.