Latest news with #fishinggear
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Could giving this pod of dolphins the same legal rights as humans help keep them safe?
It is a beautiful sunny day on the island of Jeju in South Korea and as the boat cuts through the water all seems calm and clear. Then they start to appear – one telltale fin and then another. Soon, a pod of eight or nine dolphins can be seen moving through the sea, seemingly following the path of the boat. But as they start to jump and dive, fins cutting through the air, it becomes apparent that one dolphin is missing the appendage, his body breaking the surface but without the telltale profile of his companions. His name, given to him by a local environmental group, is Orae, which literally translates as 'long', but in this context means 'wishing him a long life'. Orae is one of about 130 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins living in the waters surrounding Jeju. Many display scars of the increasingly dangerous lives they lead after coming into contact with discarded fishing gear that entangles and cuts into them, or through close encounters with boats or jetskis operating around the island. Piloting the boat is someone known on the island as 'Dolphin Man', AKA Jeongjoon Lee, a Korean director known for his work on documenting and helping the bottlenose population. 'Because the dolphins cannot cut the fishing lines themselves, we decided to cut them for them,' he says. 'In one case, we had to cut wire from two different places, one was going in through the dolphin's face to its body, and another from around its tail where it had become tangled.' Now, a coalition of campaigners and environmentalists want to take things further. They are hoping to have the bottlenose population recognised as a 'legal person', which would give them additional rights and make it easier to protect them. The idea is part of a growing movement to recognise rights in law of nonhuman species and places, and is the first attempt in Korea to give such status to an animal. 'The idea is that if an individual or a company threatens their livelihood, then we could act on behalf of the dolphins to sue them or to take action in another way,' says Miyeon Kim, who works at Marine Animal Research and Conservation (Marc), the local NGO responsible for naming the dolphins. 'Different organisations that work with the dolphins have been pushing for this for two years now, but it's very complicated and you have to get the Korean government, as well as the citizens of Jeju, to back such a move.' The dolphins are officially listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as 'near threatened' rather than threatened, but the IUCN states that a lack of data on the dolphins makes it difficult to assess whether this status is accurate. Some subpopulations – there are pods throughout the Indian Ocean, south-east Asia and Australia – probably face much greater threats, it says, particularly those that live close to islands. Around Jeju these threats come from discarded fishing gear, dive and tourist boats that get too close, construction noise that affects the dolphin's use of sonar, and pollution and runoff from the island's many fish farms. The latest concern is the construction of the largest windfarm in Korea, and one of the biggest in the world, off the coast of Jeju. Kim says part of Marc's strategy is to personalise the dolphins in an effort to get local people to relate to them better. The group has produced a booklet with each dolphin's name against a picture of their dorsal fin. 'It's important for us to be able to identify individual dolphins to be able to record scientific facts but it's also important for the islanders. People have to understand and really relate to endangered species in order for these kind of things [establishing legal personhood] to work.' In April, there was a small but significant victory with the designation of a marine protected area (MPA) on the west side of the island, with the specific remit of protecting the bottlenose dolphins. At the moment the rules that govern the area include things such as preventing arbitrary development in it – but these need to be tightened further, says Kim. 'The law bans more than two recreation boats coming within a 100-metre radius of the dolphins but there are a lot of different boats in that area including fishing boats, and at the moment we can't do anything about those.' For Dolphin Man, who has dedicated so much of his time to swimming with, filming and helping the dolphins, any extra help to conserve the animals cannot come soon enough. 'Sometimes I see so many boats surrounding the dolphins all watching them and chasing them around,' he says. 'It is good that we now have a small space to begin to protect them more, but really we need to designate that whole side of the island as a protected area in order to keep them safe for the future.' This article was supported by the Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Oceans5
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Could giving this pod of dolphins the same legal rights as humans help keep them safe?
It is a beautiful sunny day on the island of Jeju in South Korea and as the boat cuts through the water all seems calm and clear. Then they start to appear – one telltale fin and then another. Soon, a pod of eight or nine dolphins can be seen moving through the sea, seemingly following the path of the boat. But as they start to jump and dive, fins cutting through the air, it becomes apparent that one dolphin is missing the appendage, his body breaking the surface but without the telltale profile of his companions. His name, given to him by a local environmental group, is Orae, which literally translates as 'long', but in this context means 'wishing him a long life'. Orae is one of about 130 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins living in the waters surrounding Jeju. Many display scars of the increasingly dangerous lives they lead after coming into contact with discarded fishing gear that entangles and cuts into them, or through close encounters with boats or jetskis operating around the island. Piloting the boat is someone known on the island as 'Dolphin Man', AKA Jeongjoon Lee, a Korean director known for his work on documenting and helping the bottlenose population. 'Because the dolphins cannot cut the fishing lines themselves, we decided to cut them for them,' he says. 'In one case, we had to cut wire from two different places, one was going in through the dolphin's face to its body, and another from around its tail where it had become tangled.' Now, a coalition of campaigners and environmentalists want to take things further. They are hoping to have the bottlenose population recognised as a 'legal person', which would give them additional rights and make it easier to protect them. The idea is part of a growing movement to recognise rights in law of nonhuman species and places, and is the first attempt in Korea to give such status to an animal. 'The idea is that if an individual or a company threatens their livelihood, then we could act on behalf of the dolphins to sue them or to take action in another way,' says Miyeon Kim, who works at Marine Animal Research and Conservation (Marc), the local NGO responsible for naming the dolphins. 'Different organisations that work with the dolphins have been pushing for this for two years now, but it's very complicated and you have to get the Korean government, as well as the citizens of Jeju, to back such a move.' The dolphins are officially listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as 'near threatened' rather than threatened, but the IUCN states that a lack of data on the dolphins makes it difficult to assess whether this status is accurate. Some subpopulations – there are pods throughout the Indian Ocean, south-east Asia and Australia – probably face much greater threats, it says, particularly those that live close to islands. Around Jeju these threats come from discarded fishing gear, dive and tourist boats that get too close, construction noise that affects the dolphin's use of sonar, and pollution and runoff from the island's many fish farms. The latest concern is the construction of the largest windfarm in Korea, and one of the biggest in the world, off the coast of Jeju. Kim says part of Marc's strategy is to personalise the dolphins in an effort to get local people to relate to them better. The group has produced a booklet with each dolphin's name against a picture of their dorsal fin. 'It's important for us to be able to identify individual dolphins to be able to record scientific facts but it's also important for the islanders. People have to understand and really relate to endangered species in order for these kind of things [establishing legal personhood] to work.' In April, there was a small but significant victory with the designation of a marine protected area (MPA) on the west side of the island, with the specific remit of protecting the bottlenose dolphins. At the moment the rules that govern the area include things such as preventing arbitrary development in it – but these need to be tightened further, says Kim. 'The law bans more than two recreation boats coming within a 100-metre radius of the dolphins but there are a lot of different boats in that area including fishing boats, and at the moment we can't do anything about those.' For Dolphin Man, who has dedicated so much of his time to swimming with, filming and helping the dolphins, any extra help to conserve the animals cannot come soon enough. 'Sometimes I see so many boats surrounding the dolphins all watching them and chasing them around,' he says. 'It is good that we now have a small space to begin to protect them more, but really we need to designate that whole side of the island as a protected area in order to keep them safe for the future.' This article was supported by the Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Oceans5
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
One tonne of fishing gear collected in Lowestoft to be recycled
An appeal to collect fishing gear at the end of its useable life saw more than one tonne of equipment dropped off at a Suffolk Council held the four-day appeal at Hamilton Dock in Lowestoft to try to prevent redundant tackle from damaging the of the commercial fishing fleet dropped off a total of 1,194kg of items including nets, ropes, plastic pots and fish crates - the gill nets contained the equivalent of several kilometres of filament, line and rope. Sally Noble, cabinet member for the environment, said it was "such a reassurance to see so much material recovered through this project" as discarded equipment could easily trap and entangle marine life. The exercise was in collaboration with organisations belonging to the Eastern and Southern Plastics Coalition (ESPC), including the Eastern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA), Keep Britain Tidy and energy firm RWE. The aim of the exercise was to target abandoned fishing gear encountered and recovered by crews while out at sea. The nets which were collected will now be sent off to be shred, the pellets will be used to make new products and ropes will be re-processed and turned into composite mixed plastic board. Noble, a Green councillor, said there was reassurance this discarded fishing gear would not enter the marine environment, even by accident. She said: "The commercial fishing community have really embraced this campaign and done their bit for a healthy marine environment by bringing along old fishing gear for free disposal."The great majority of our local fishing fleet take responsibility for managing their end-of-life gear, and I would like to thank everyone who took part." Another appeal is planned for a different location on the Suffolk coastline for the autumn, with a date yet to be announced. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
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Travel + Leisure
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
I've Been Fly Fishing for 5 Years, and This Is the Genius Fishing Gear That Makes Every Trip a Success—From $8
There's nothing better than a day on the water—just me, my fly rod, and (hopefully) a few trout willing to play along. But getting to that peaceful, cast-after-cast rhythm takes some prep work, especially if you're just learning how to fly fish. I've learned over the years that showing up with the right gear makes a huge difference, not just in how the fishing is, but in how much fun I actually have. Going home with a sunburn after forgetting my SPF, or limping out of the river with blistered feet from wearing the wrong boots, is just as bad as leaving skunked. Learning a new sport can b e intimidating, and trying to outfit yourself with all the right gear to get outside can be even more intimidating. So, I'm sharing the tried-and-true essentials you need to confidently and comfortably get a line in the water, like ultralight waders, a fly rod and reel kit, and comfortable shoes for the water. My setup is a mix of gear I've used for years and a few newer finds that have quickly earned permanent spots in my kit. If you're building out your own river kit, this is a great place to start. Shop my top picks from REI, Amazon, Orvis, and more, with gear starting at just $8. Fly fishing is a gear-intensive hobby that requires you to have a lot of little stuff on you at all times. Spools of tippet, sunscreen, flies, sunglasses, chapstick, snacks—you need a comfortable place to put it all that won't get in the way or won't weigh you down. Enter this pack from Patagonia, which converts from a sling to a lumbar pack depending on your preference. For 9 liters, it's surprisingly spacious. I wear mine on my hip most of the day, and it holds all my gear, and some. There are ample magnets and lash points, too, so I can hook on extra spools of fly line or my water bottle for easy access. Trust me—there are a lot of packs out there. This is one you'll actually want to carry with you. $88 at Dicks Sporting Goods $98 at I'm ultra-picky about what pants I wear under my waders because a) I don't like sweating more than I have to, and b) I need something that stays in place. That's why I almost always reach for my Breeze Drift Pants from Free Fly. They're breezy, breathable, and have a slightly tapered leg that stays down under waders or looks cute on their own. I've worn them hiking, paddling, and post-fishing runs to the Dairy Queen, and they feel great doing it all. $75 at Amazon $75 at Invest in some solid UPF hoodies and shirts for extra protection while you're on the water, like this breathable hoodie by Cotopaxi. Despite its UPF 50+ protection, it's airy enough that you won't overheat, even when the sun is sweltering. The fabric is quick-drying and moisture-wicking, too, meaning you won't mind it getting splashed. Thoughtful touches, like the thumbholes and hood, offer added shade, which you can never have too much of. You can spend a lot of money on waders and technical fishing apparel, but if you're looking for a pair to keep you cool and dry this summer that won't break the bank, I'd recommend the Ultralight Waders by Orvis. True to their name, they're shockingly lightweight, but still tough enough to handle brush and rocky banks. The fit is dialed in for a woman's frame, so you're not constantly battling sagging or weird bunching in the knees. I especially love the adjustable shoulder straps that convert into a belt for warmer days when I wear them waist-high. Add in the built-in gravel guards and a chest pocket, and they're worth every penny. Like the matching waders, these Orvis boots are supportive yet featherlight, which is rare for wading boots. The quick-dry synthetic materials keep them from staying soggy, and the Vibram soles grip surprisingly well on wet rocks and slick mud. You spend a lot of time standing and hiking in fly fishing, and I've found these boots to give me all-day comfort, even after 12+ hours on my feet. When it's too hot for full waders and I'm confident I can get my feet wet without freezing, I strap these sandals on. The Teva Hydratrek sandals are my go-to for wet wading—they're sturdy, supportive, and grippy enough to handle whatever is underneath me. Unlike some water sandals that feel clunky or rub in weird places, these give you incredible ground-feel and grip, even when you're hiking into a more remote spot. They also clean up easily and dry fast, which is a must when you're bouncing between trail and stream. You can't go fishing without your rod and reel. This all-in-one kit is ideal for both beginners and seasoned anglers who want a no-fuss setup. Redington's 9-foot, 5-weight rod is versatile enough for most freshwater situations, and the included reel is pre-spooled with quality line, so you're ready to cast right out of the case. I keep mine in the car for spontaneous trips because it's so portable and durable. A multi-tool might not seem essential… until you need it. Whether I'm snipping line, tightening screws on my reel, or using pliers to un-snag a stray fly out of my sun hoodie, this thing comes in clutch. The Skeletool Cx is streamlined but still packs a serious punch, with pliers, wire cutters, a knife, and even a bit driver. It's lightweight enough to clip onto my belt loop and tough enough to withstand years of wear and tear. Plus, the bright colors always get tons of compliments and stand out in my pack for easy access. $40 at Amazon $40 at Hydration is key, and this bottle keeps my water ice-cold even after hours in direct sun. The narrow mouth is easy to drink from on the move, and the stainless steel build is virtually indestructible. I can hook it to my fishing pack or shove it in the water bottle holder, and it doesn't leak—even when it inevitably falls out or rolls down a riverbank (get a brightly colored one you can easily spot in case that happens!). It's the kind of bottle you buy once and never need to replace. I rarely fish without a hat, and I love this $8 find from Amazon. It's lightweight, breathable, and offers just enough shade to keep my face and neck from frying. The foldable design means it doesn't take up space, and if it blows into the river, it dries quickly. Just a solid, budget-friendly way to keep your cool. As with any outdoor sport, you'll want to slather on SPF. The tricky thing is, fly lines and rods don't love sunscreen (especially if it's chemical, the ingredients can eat away at the materials). I always carry a stick in my bag that I can apply all over my face, while keeping the rubbing with my hands to a minimum. Lately, I've been loving Tula's Protect + Go Sunscreen Stick, which comes in an easy-to-use applicator that's also easy to find (it's bright yellow, so it never gets lost in my pack). Bonus points for the better-for-you ingredients my skin slurps up in the sunshine. The same goes for lip balm, which I am constantly reapplying on the river. Sunburned lips are the worst , and this balm saves me every time. It's packed with organic ingredients and has a smooth, buttery texture that actually stays put, even after eating or getting splashed. Ask any angler what piece of gear they never fish without, and I bet they say polarized sunglasses. Quality eyewear is a non-negotiable on the water. On top of protecting your precious peepers, they cut glare, allowing you to see fish and structure better. You can drop a ton of money on good sunglasses, but I've been really impressed with Suncloud's affordable styles, which punch well above their price point. If you're new to fishing and not ready to spring for a $200 pair, these are a smart and functional pick. I've lost way too many sunglasses overboard to ever fish without a retainer on my glasses again. Specifically, this floating strap from Chums, which costs $15 but has saved me probably hundreds of dollars in otherwise lost eyewear. The foam is floaty and bright, making it easy to spot before they drift away. I use this for everything: drying my hands after handling fish, wiping down wet gear, or blotting sweat off my face. It's small but mighty, and the microfiber material absorbs way more than you'd expect. It dries quickly and comes with a clip, so it's easy to attach to your pack or vest. At just $10, it's a total no-brainer add-on for any outdoor adventure. Love a great deal? 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BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fishing nets from the Isles of Scilly to be recycled
A new initiative on the Isles of Scilly will give a second life to abandoned fishing gear while helping to protect marine Duchy of Cornwall has placed large wheelie bins around the islands for unwanted fishing nets which social enterprise Waterhaul will recycle into products including sunglasses and mammals, fish and crustaceans can become entangled in 'ghost gear' abandoned at sea which is made up from nets, lines and Duchy said the first collection of gear was expected to be shipped from the islands later in the month. St Mary's harbour master Dale Clark, said: "Abandoned fishing gear is a major threat to wildlife in and around the Isles of Scilly – it's often referred to as 'ghost gear' because even though it has been abandoned, it continues to trap and endanger marine animals including seals, fish and seabirds."Waterhaul, based in Cornwall, said it had already collected and recycled more than 4,252 stone (27,000kg) of fishing gear from the fisherman Shamus Pender Frazer said: "We believe we have a responsibility as fisherman to look after and maintain the marine environment and to minimise, to the best of our ability, any negative impact we may inadvertently have on the ocean."
