The Conservation Balance

I am very fortunate to get to spend a lot of time on the water, whether that be frozen or open water.  While fishing I often reflect back on how the sport has changed over the years and what changes still need to be made.  I still enjoy eating a meal of fish and do quite often, I also know the importance of conservation efforts to keep the sport growing.  Most of us take our resources for granted and don't realize that we can all do a part to keep the sport of fishing and competitive fishing alive.

Recently, I was elected to the board of AIM.  AIM or Anglers Insight Marketing is a professional walleye tournament organization that is trying to merge the sport of competitive walleye angling and conservation.  AIM's new CRR or Catch, Record, Release format is a perfect example of what anglers can do to ensure their sport  not only survives but thrives.  While fish kill during a professional tournament is usually minimal and far less than that from recreational anglers, it is the perception that professionals are going out and killing fish that is the problem.  The new CRR format AIM has put in place is one example of Professional Fisherman getting together and doing the right thing in the name of conservation and the future of the sport.

While visiting the Costa Store the other day online I came across this VIDEO online.  The video is well put together and talks about the country of Belize and how they are facing some of the exact problems we are facing here in the United States with development of Lake Shore, loss of fish habitat and the effects of over-harvest of certain species.  While I have never been to Belize, I thought it was interesting after watching the video how they face many of the same problems we do here.  No matter where you live, conservation efforts are crucial to maintaining a sustainable fish populations.

These two examples of conservation could not be farther apart geographically, but essentially have the same goal in mind.  The idea of conservation is to not only leave something behind for future generations to enjoy but to leave them better than they were.  We all need to do our part toward conservation as it is not something that can be done occasionally, it is a way or life.