KEEP IT CLEAN
OzFish is partnering with NSW DPI to redefine what it means to be a responsible angler. Join us on a Fish For Life journey to preserve the beauty of our waterways and ensure generations to come can experience the thrill of the catch.
Our goal is crystal clear: empower anglers to champion sustainable fishing practices. It’s not just about catching memories; it’s about leaving a legacy of cleaner waters and unspoiled habitats.
Each time you go fishing is an opportunity to make a difference and the Fish For Life – Keep It Clean campaign encourages exactly that. Be part of making a difference use the hashtag #FishForLifeKeepItClean, share the videos, and show Australia just how much our waterways mean to recreational fishers by getting involved.
Get involved by attending a clean up event in your area
Keep it Clean – Corrigans Beach – NSW
Corrigans Beach Reserve Beach Rd, Batehaven, NSW, AustraliaKeep it Clean for the Clyde River at Corrigan's Beach Reserve in Batehaven! Join like-minded individuals who share a love for fishing and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Together we’re...
We are working alongside some of the leading names in the fishing industry to bring these issues to the forefront, and you could be next. Send us your own version of these messages to share on social media and we’ll send you some OzFish gear as a thanks!
Go Packaging Free
Before you head out for a day of fishing, consider how you’ll manage your waste so we can keep our fishing spots litter free.
Before you go fishing, properly dispose of packaging from any new fishing gear to minimise any opportunity of leaving them behind or having them fly away.
Using a tackle box is a great way to keep gear tidy, accessible, and packaging-free, preventing litter from getting into our waterways.
Recreational fishos know better than anyone that fishing litter impacts habitats and wildlife. By adopting this practice, you become a responsible angler preventing litter from infiltrating our aquatic ecosystems.
Fish Smarter
Ensure that all rubbish, big and small, gets carefully stashed and removed from your fishing spot.
Fish towards the features rather than over them. Or, carefully present your bait above any structure to improve your catch rate and reduce gear loss. Also, consider the influence of currents and changing environmental conditions.
You can help reduce gear loss and snagging when fishing over structure by:
Using lures that stay higher in the water column,
Using floats, lightly-weighted or unweighted baits and fishing actively- retrieving your bait before it settles in any snags,
Mastering your knot-tying skills to increase your chance of retrieving snagged gear.
Stash Your Trash
Before you head out for a day of fishing, consider how you’ll manage your waste so we can keep our fishing spots litter free.
Find a safe and secure place to store your rubbish whilst fishing to prevent it from attracting wildlife or being blown or washed away.
When disposing of fishing line, cut it into small pieces and ensure that it is securely contained within the bin to reduce the risk of entangling scavenging birds and wildlife.
Make use of tackle bins at popular fishing spots or go one step more – recycle it – if there is an option available near you.
Mind Your Lines
Keep a close eye on your lines and gear while fishing.
It’s important to remember that fishing gear, especially lines and hooks, can pose risks so keep a close eye on your lines and gear while out fishing. Kids, dogs, and wildlife are often drawn to the water’s edge.
To prevent accidents and harm, make it a habit to secure your lines when you’re not actively fishing. Removing bait and carefully securing hooks to a rod guide minimises the risk of injuries to both humans and animals. And you won’t miss a bite!
Leave No Trace
Remember to always leave your fishing spot cleaner than you found it.
Collect and dispose of unused bait, bait packaging, fish waste and litter properly, even if it isn’t yours.
If a public bin is full, find another one or take the litter home with you. The legacy of responsible angling extends beyond a single fishing trip. It’s a commitment to future generations and the “leave no trace” philosophy is more than an individual effort—it’s a collective movement, ensuring that every fishing spot remains clean and as nature intended for both us and the aquatic creatures that depend on our marine environment.
Get Involved
Join a local ‘clean up’ event, grab a bag, have some fun and make a difference.
Cleanup events foster a sense of community among like-minded individuals who share a love for fishing and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, you’re not just picking up litter; you’re forging connections that amplify the impact of your actions.
When you dedicate your time to cleaning up our shorelines and riverbanks, you’re not only preventing plastic and debris from harming marine life, but you’re creating change and inspiring others to follow suit.
LATEST NEWS
APR 30 2024 | Get involved: taking the lead on litter
For many anglers, myself included, getting out fishing is never simply about catching the fish. Landing your target species is certainly a bonus, but for the vast majority, the true healing power is in the reconnection to nature. Peeling back the layers of work-life balance (that’s permanently teetering towards work and away from life) and breathing in the cool, crisp air as the sun peaks over the horizon. Nothing restores my soul more than the deep feeling of gratitude that comes with being on the water.
NOV 25 2023 | Leave No Trace: Why we all need to help reduce the litter problem for our waterways
No one likes a dirty fishing zone – it benefits no one, especially the fish. When you are out wetting a line, always clean up after you leave – that includes bait, fish waste and any litter, including what may be left behind by other people. If a public bin is overflowing, find another bin or take your rubbish home with you. It is a simple act that goes a long way to ensure we have clean places to soak a bait.
OCT 23 2023 | Stash Your Trash: How To Protect Our Waterways From Litter Pollution While Fishing
The allure of fishing lies not just in the catch but in the experience itself – the tranquility of the water, the thrill of the chase and the joy of being immersed in nature. Recreational fishers are deeply connected to the environments they fish in and they understand their responsibility to protect and preserve the waters they fish from around Australia.
SEP 28 2023 | Go Packaging Free: Get Organised Before Fishing To Avoid Leaving Waste In Our Waterways
OzFish Unlimited’s Jonathon Bleakley reflects on a lifetime as a recreational fisher and how we can all prevent litter in our waterways, as part of the Fish For Life – Keep It Clean campaign. One of my most vivid memories as a child was sitting on the floor of my grandmother’s house preparing the tackle trays before the next morning’s adventures.
