SOME well known Aussie anglers are taking to social media to challenge the recreational fishing industry to Look After Your Tackle and tie better knots in a bid to reduce fishing line litter entering the nation’s waterways.
The ReefClean Look After Your Tackle campaign is a joint initiative from OzFish and Tangaroa Blue. The campaign will see some of Australia’s finest recreational fishing personalities challenging each other to tie the fastest FG Knot to raise awareness about litter in our local waterways.
“The challenge is a great way for fishers to start the conversation about litter in our waterways,” says OzFish director of habitat programs Cassie Price.
“Snags are inevitable in fishing, but one simple way we can help reduce lost gear is to be better at tying knots. If you’ve ever known the frustration of losing a fish or a favourite lure because your knot has unraveled, you’ll know where I’m coming from here.
“We’re all getting better at responsible fishing practices and this is just another way we can all protect our local waterways for better fishing experiences and for future generations,” said Ms Price.
TV personality Scott Hillier from Channel 7 Creek to Coast, fishing royalty Steve “Starlo” Starling, Michael Guest of Reel Action TV, and Adam Royle from the Australian National Sportfishing Association are just some of the recreational fishing industry leaders taking part.
Recreational fishers, young and old, can take part in the challenge and see if they can beat the knot tying times of their favourite fishers by using the hashtag #knowyourknots.
Tangaroa Blue first launched the Look After Your Tackle campaign in 2019 as part of the Great Barrier Reef-wide ReefClean project, funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, and together with OzFish Unlimited, is hoping the next installment will eclipse mainstream fishing platforms and encourage recreational fishers to think more about how they tie their line and what they leave behind.
“Fishing litter is just one of the many items of waste we find in our waterways so engaging fishers in this fun way will not only be entertaining it will have a lasting environmental benefit,” Tangaroa Blue CEO Heidi Tait says.
OzFish Ambassador, fishing writer and media personality, Steve “Starlo” Starling agrees.
“Tying strong, secure knots is a great way of minimising tackle loss. It’s a facet of fishing many anglers overlook. You really need to learn good knots and know how to tie them well,” Starlo said.
To take part in the challenge hashtag #KnowYourKnots or go to www.ozfish.org.au and find out more.
