{"id":17980,"date":"2015-11-30T06:00:37","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T06:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naturemoms.com\/blog\/?p=17980"},"modified":"2026-07-10T23:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T23:24:23","slug":"family-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturemoms.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/30\/family-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Fishing Fun for the Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sustainable<\/a>It is not uncommon these days to read stories about overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices. Admittedly it is a huge problem that we have to find solutions for. As consumers many\u00a0of us are choosing to reduce our seafood intake\u00a0and support\u00a0well-managed, sustainable fisheries.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0story you may not read to often though is that there are ways we can increase conservation through participation. Yes, we can help conserve and protect our waterways and other natural places and the wildlife that lives there through: fishing licenses,\u00a0boat registrations, fishing gear purchases and boat fuel sales. How can this be? Don’t these these detract from or “take away” from our natural spaces. Actually no, it doesn’t have to be that way. Proponents of fishing, and boating (and an other outdoor recreational activities like hunting) often do not realize how much money is funneled to these wild spaces through the activities they oppose.\u00a0Money spent on the pursuit of these sports and activities\u00a0is what pays to conserve and protect our wild spaces and waterways.<\/p>\n

If you like to say that you need to put your money where your mouth is…well, your money needs to take you boating and fishing!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sale of fishing licenses and boat registrations contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to aquatic conservation efforts every year. In fact 100% of funds generated from fishing licenses goes towards conservation. 1.5 billion is\u00a0contributed to fisheries\u00a0conservation annually by\u00a0anglers and boaters. All of that money means better\u00a0fishing and boating experiences because\u00a0the money is funneled towards\u00a0management, research, education, access, and fish stocking.<\/p>\n

Since\u00a0recreational fishing and boating is funneling millions of dollars towards conservation it only makes sense that families might want to include more of these activities in their leisure time.\u00a0It is also a great way to get exercise, enjoy nature and outdoor spaces (no nature deficit disorder), and teach kids how to be \u00a0protect fish and water resources. Getting kids out there on the water is a great\u00a0teacher!<\/p>\n

Things we might teach the next generation of boaters and anglers:<\/p>\n