For Tomorrow's Fish: Anglers Need to Rally to Safeguard Future Fishing

Anglers across the nation are sounding the alarm on climate change, declaring it the foremost threat to the future of their beloved pastime. From altering fish behavior to depleting habitats, the impacts of climate change are reverberating coast to coast, prompting anglers to demand action.

A recent report titled "For Tomorrow’s Fish," authored by by Daniel Ritz for the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) and the AFFTA Fisheries Fund (full report available below), aims to ignite a groundswell of activism within the angling community. The comprehensive 25-page report sheds light on how climate change is disrupting fisheries, fish, and fishing experiences, and emphasizes the pivotal role anglers play in advocating for climate-resilient fisheries.

The report states that the effects of climate change are palpable for anglers, affecting not only fish behavior and abundance but also the productivity and habitats crucial for sustaining marine life. Rising sea levels and warming waters are encroaching upon essential fish habitats, jeopardizing the survival of iconic sportfish and altering fishing dynamics.

Moreover, climate-induced challenges extend beyond the realm of recreational fishing. Coastal communities, reliant on fisheries as economic engines, are grappling with the aftermath of stronger storms and flooding, which ravage critical infrastructure and livelihoods.

Anglers, uniquely attuned to the ecological shifts in their local environments, are stepping up as champions for their sport and the ecosystems they cherish. Recognizing their role as stewards of the waters, anglers are ideal advocates for climate-resilient fisheries that prioritize sustainability and abundance.

The imperative for action has never been more urgent. With the outdoor recreation industry and anglers sharing a collective responsibility to safeguard marine and inland waters, the report is a rallying cry for concerted efforts toward climate adaptation.

Read the report here. 

For some ideas on what you can do, click here. 

---