How Is Pole and Line Fishing More Environmentally Friendly?

Pole and line fishing is a traditional and sustainable form of fishing that has been used for centuries. It is more environmentally friendly than other forms of commercial fishing, such as trawling and long-lining. Pole and line fishing uses fewer resources, has a lower bycatch rate, and causes minimal habitat damage.

The Benefits of Pole and Line Fishing

  • Pole and line fishing requires fewer resources, such as fuel, than other forms of commercial fishing.
  • It is selective in what it catches – pole and line fishermen use bait to catch specific species, so there is less unintentional bycatch.
  • It causes minimal habitat damage – pole and line fishermen do not use nets or trawls, which can be damaging to marine ecosystems.
  • Pole and line fishermen use traditional skills to identify the best areas to fish, which reduces overfishing.

The Drawbacks of Pole and Line Fishing

  • It is labour-intensive – pole and line fishing requires more time than other methods.
  • It can be dangerous – because the fishermen are working with hooks and lines in a confined space on small boats.
  • It can be difficult to scale up for larger catches – pole and line boats are usually smaller than trawlers or long-liners.

Conclusion: How Is Pole And Line Fishing More Environmentally Friendly?

Pole and line fishing is a sustainable form of fishing that uses fewer resources than other methods, has a lower bycatch rate, causes minimal habitat damage, relies on traditional skills to identify the best areas to fish, but is labour-intensive. It is clear that pole and line fishing is more environmentally friendly than other forms of commercial fishing.

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Michael Allen