Sustainability

The New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association (NZPFGA) supports and encourages all our members and their clients to practice sustainable fishing.

There are many components to fishing sustainably. And an intrinsic part of this is catch & release.  We actively encourage our guides, their clients and any angler fishing New Zealand to strictly practice catch and release fishing. This practise will assist the health of the fishery by minimising the loss of “big” fish genetics and allow more anglers to gain enjoyment from our stunning country.

Sustainability is also about making sure the fish is released unharmed and in good condition.  We support and endorse the keepemwet movement and its principles:

• Keeping the fish in the water as much as possible
• Holding the fish gently in or slightly above the water, with wet hands
• Handling the fish as little and as carefully as possible

For more information about the keepemwet movement, please check out their web site, there are some great tips on fish handling and photography

https://www.keepemwet.org/tips#keepemwet-tips

Take only photographs, leave only footprints. Every little thing helps, right down to what you do with your old tippet, that cigarette butt – you get the idea. Let us all help our fragile world, if you see rubbish along the stream – pick it up :{

The Cawthorn institute conduct world leading research into freshwater fisheries in New Zealand. The NZPFGA and its members provide some financial support for their valuable work and we encourage all anglers to do the same. https://www.cawthron.org.nz/