New South Wales recreational anglers asked to look after their tackle
OzFish Unlimited, in partnership with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, are today calling on NSW rec fishers to look after their tackle in a bid to reduce fishing litter in local waterways with more ways to get involved.
The Look After Your Tackle campaign has seen some of Australia’s finest fishing influencers challenge each other to tie the fastest FG knot, and now the focus is on anglers within New South Wales to get onboard.
The campaign aims to ensure that recreational fishers within the region are making sure their hooks, lures and sinkers stay well attached to their mainline by tying a solid knot. Cassie Price, Director of Habitat Programs at OzFish Unlimited, said that as stewards of our waterways, we all have a responsibility to make sure fishing tackle isn’t unnecessary getting left behind.
“Snags and big fish are inevitable in fishing, but one simple way we can help reduce lost gear is to be better at knot tying,” said Cassie.
“If you’ve ever known the frustration of losing a fish or a favourite lure because your knot has unravelled, you’ll know where I’m coming from here,” said Ms Price.
With the campaign now receiving support from the New South Wales Recreational Fishing Trust grant to expand the program there’s a raft of new ways local fishers can get involved which includes litter prevention and recycling.
Heidi Tait, CEO of Tangaroa Blue says that the expansion of the Look After Your Tackle initiative in NSW will be vital to reduce fishing-related waste and educate recreational fishers about the scale and impact of fishing litter in local waterways.
“We are working towards getting the Rig Recycle bin in key locations through New South Wales. This will provide fishers with a place they can take their old fishing gear to be recycled into new gear or upcycled and given a new life,” said Heidi.
Another new option for anglers is to request a tangle bin near their local fishing haunt, which will allow a place for fishing tackle and such as line, bait bags and soft plastics to be picked up and kept out of our waterways.
“Not every great fishing spot is going to have access to a public bin, so it is up to rec fishers to request a bin for their area to ensure their rubbish does not end up in the water,” said Cassie.
To kick start the program, Tangaroa Blue is putting the call out for anglers who want to get involved to get in touch on info@tangaroablue.org.
The Look After Your Tackle project is funded by the NSW Government’s Recreational Fishing Trusts and delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation in partnership with OzFish Unlimited.
