Top 6 Sustainable Fishing Practices: A Guide for Small Businesses — It’s Time to Take a Step Back and Rethink

What is bycatch? It refers to the unintentional capture of non-target species, such as turtles, dolphins, and other marine creatures. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. Many of these species are caught in fishing nets, fated to die or released back into the ocean in a severely weakened state. This threatens the existence of these already endangered species. Reducing bycatch doesn’t involve a lot of work or effort, but it does require willingness and a bit of creativity. For instance, marine biologists in New England discovered that while the cod population was declining, the haddock population was thriving. To reduce the accidental capture of cod, they designed a special net that allowed the cod to escape.

Following the Good Fish Guide is a way to reduce the negative impact of fishing. This informative guide tells you all you need to know about sustainable fishing practices, which fish species can be harvested sustainably, and where to find them. It also explains the methods ideal for catching these fish species. This guide comes in handy for both fisheries and eco-conscious consumers. In fact, it should be the standard reference for all fisheries, no matter where they are based. The Maldives, for example, has a diet that is based on seafood, so Maldivian fisheries need to follow the Good Fish Guide. If you’re planning to go on a fishing trip in the Maldives, you also need to take a look at the Good Fish Guide, as well as choose an eco-resort that takes care of the coral reefs. Your options include Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, a popular choice with tourists looking for Maldives beach villas offering luxury coupled with sustainability.

Fishing nets and lines are typically made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic. This contributes to the growing problem of plastic waste in the ocean. BIOGEARS, a Europe based project, has come up with a solution. They’ve developed a prototype of biobased ropes made from natural materials. While these solutions are exceedingly important, what’s even more important is making sure these plastic nets or lines do not end up in the ocean. This responsibility lies with the fisheries.

The world is at a sad point in human history where some fish species are endangered or even almost eradicated due to fishing. It goes without saying that conserving these fish species is a must, which can be achieved through the strict implementation of annual catch limits. Fines and penalties do exist, but many fishing vessels continue to overfish, as enforcing these laws is a challenge. Therefore, it’s more practical to focus on catching species that are not at risk.

Fishermen sometimes lose their gear, which ends up in the ocean, posing a dangerous threat to fish species. Seabirds might also mistake these discarded lines for food. Fishing gear is often made from lead, which is poisonous to fish species. Fortunately, there is now lead-free fishing gear that is much safer for marine life. Fishermen should be encouraged to buy these non-toxic fishing tackle.

Did you know that fishing is one of the most energy-intensive industries? It’s heavily reliant on fossil fuels. In 2020 alone, the world’s fishing fleet consumed over 1.2% of global fuel consumption. Plus, the shipping industry responsible for transporting seafood is highly polluting. In fact, the largest 16 vessels produce more sulphur than all the cars in the world combined. One solution is to improve fishing methods, and another is to improve propulsion and energy systems on fishing vessels. Reducing cruising speed and improving vessel design will also help.