Responsible Sea Angling

Recycle Fish

DWT is working closely with sea anglers in Dorset to promote a responsible take attitude towards fishing. The Recycle Fish campaign, initiated by sea anglers in Weymouth, encourages anglers to look after fish stocks, only taking the minimum number of fish needed for the table and releasing everything else back to the sea in a healthy condition. We all want clean, healthy seas that are rich in fish and other wildlife. By following a few simple tips, anglers can make sure that fish are not wasted and the impact on the marine environment is minimised.

Tacklebox Tips Leaflet

Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Recycle Fish Team have produced a Waterproof Tacklebox Tips leaflet. To obtain your free copy please send a stamped addressed envelope to Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester. Dorset. DT2 7AA.

The leaflet is also available free from tackle shops and angling clubs throughout Dorset and you can download a copy of the leaflet here

Please Note: the minimum sizes and spawning seasons listed in the leaflet apply to Dorset waters and may differ in other parts of the country.

River Cottage chef, writer and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and TV producer and journalist Nick Fisher have given their support to the new code. Hugh said: “Congratulations to the Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Recycle Fish Campaign for working together in the creation of the Anglers Code of Conduct Initiative. This waterproof tackle box card will be very useful to recreational sea anglers and I hope everyone will not only embrace the principle of catch and release, but also adopt the recommended methods of handling and caring for our sea fish and the marine environment in which they live.”

For further information please go to www.recyclefish.com

SeaClean Project

Collecting Unwanted Fishing Line

Anglers are helping marine life in Dorset by taking part in a project to collect unwanted fishing line. Special 'Fishing line bins' have been installed at key locations around the county for anglers to discard their unwanted line. If enough is collected it can be recycled, possibly into new tackle boxes or new line.

The Problem

Discarded fishing line is a huge problem in the sea where it entangles all kinds of marine life from seals and seabirds to crabs and seafans. It is also a hazard to human sea users such as divers and boaters. It has been estimated that it takes around 600 years for monofilament fishing line to break down in the sea.

The SeaClean Project

The SeaClean project is run by Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Julie Hatcher from Dorset Wildlife Trust, says "Generally anglers are very environmentally aware and do all that they can to minimise any impact on the marine environment. The bins are a way of helping them take positive steps to protect our wildlife."

Where are the Bins?

The fishing line bins are situated in Christchurch, Swanage, Kimmeridge, Weymouth, West Bexington and West Bay and at Poole Harbour in Hamworthy, Baiter and Sandbanks, 

For information about how to set up a scheme in your area download our Seaclean Information Pack.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and TV producer and journalist Nick Fisher

Download a
Tacklebox Tips Leaflet

Please Note: the minimum sizes and spawning seasons listed in the leaflet apply to Dorset waters and may differ in other parts of the country

 One of the SeaClean Bins

Download a
SeaClean Information Pack here