An Ethical Angler:

1. Supports and promotes conservation efforts

2. Uses light touch techniques to conserve habitat and resources

3. Keeps no more fish than needed for consumption. Never sells, trades or wastes fish that are retained

4. Practices effective catch and release of fish not kept for consumption or that are prohibited to retain

5. Doesn’t pollute: recycles and disposes of trash

6. Learns and obeys fishing and boating regulations

7. Practices safe angling and boating by following the law and using common sense to prevent injury

8. Doesn’t spread exotic plants, animals or release live baits into waters

9. Respects resources, respects public and private property and respects others

10. Promotes ethical sportfishing by sharing knowledge, skills and ethics

11. Leaves fishing grounds as clean or cleaner than found

Sportfishing Best Practices

The Sportfishing Conservancy has attempted to compile the most relevant available information to provide a “Code of Best Practices for Marine Sportfishing.” We have borrowed from many, including the United Nations Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization, Fish Smart, the National Marine Fisheries Service, our own Code of Angling Ethics and others. Our goal is to provide a basic starting point for this very complex subject - this is clearly a work in progress. These guidelines are generally acceptable practices available on state, federal, and nonprofit websites. We ask for your help in refining and making this more complete. Please forward suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and thanks in advance for your help.