Ethics as defined by Webster means "the principles of morality or the field of study of morals or right conduct. A particular ethical system, the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions; as, medical ethics, moral principles, as of an individual." The ethics of fishing encompasses many aspects that deal with our sport. Do we, as fellow anglers follow a personal ethic code to enhance fishing for future generations to follow? Do we subscribe to a fishing code of ethics that can make a difference to the resource? Each of us must determine his own values in respect to the aquatic resource we fish.

I began my introduction to ethical fishing in 1941 at the age of seven while fishing on the Westport, out of Boston. This was a party boat that had two decks to fish from, mostly with heavy tar lines and 16-ounce weights. Some of the intoxicated adults on board, fishing, made it very difficult for others close by to enjoy the trip. They infringed upon the rights of others to enjoy a good day. It was then that I formed part of my ethics, to not mix alcohol and fishing.

Over the years, I have witnessed many unethical practices that affected how I enjoyed my day out on the water. The foremost is when fishing on a beach or rock pile, the total disregard for others that some fishermen have. They bring along bait, bags, bottles and cans and simply discard them on the ground or in the water rather than taking them when they leave. The eyesore it leaves is only secondary to what it does to others that fish in the same area. Another angler might slip and get hurt on a piece of plastic left on the ground. One might suffer a cut foot from discarded bottles and cans while wading or walking. The bait not discarded into the water will attract vermin and other animals, which over time will make it an undesirable spot to fish. I realize of course, that those who do not have fishing ethics must be shown by example the correct and proper way to leave an area. We can all set the example for others to follow and show by doing.

How many times in recent years have you seen fellow fishermen take undersize fish or more than the law allows? The regulations to limit size and numbers are put in place to enhance a fishery and when we allow others to break the law by not speaking out, we only help perpetuate the decline of our shared resource. The recreational angler has a vested obligation to assist our under staffed environmental police officers do their job. They help protect our mutual resource for tomorrow.

Have you gone down to a beach to fish and seen a picket fence of rods set up by one or two people fishing? The beach is available to all. Those who get into a hot spot first, rightfully should enjoy the area they fish. However, it is common practice to insert dummy rods to keep others from the enjoyment of catching fish. One time when my son and I were fishing we witnessed one fisherman take five rods from his camper and set them out, then go back to get five more. My son and I were only using two rods each. We had been catching small bass up to 15 pounds. This individual had 10 rods baited out on the bottom, or so it seemed, until I walked over to where he was set up. He was fishing the four center rods and had placed the rest of the rigs into the wash to give the appearance he had them all out. My son and I had a fish on every cast and were only able to use one rod affectively. I asked him why he needed all the rods. His statement to me was that he wanted to increase his chances of catching a keeper. Needless to say, this person was a beach hog, who in my opinion, had no fishing ethics.

When fishing for a species that has a minimum size limit, we should be more attentive and use only one rod, especially when bait fishing. By holding the rod and feeling the fish take the bait, you can generally hook the fish in the mouth. This will result in easy removal of the hook, which will increase the survival rate of those under sized fish that are released.

When plugging, and a school of active feeding fish are breaking all over the place, it is easy to get caught up in the blitz frenzy. If someone is in the water plugging, do not infringe upon his spot by casting your plug from behind the person in the water. This is a practice that can create a safety hazard, from plugs breaking off to getting hooks from the plugs impaled into human flesh. If you cannot reach the fish, ask the person if they would mind moving a little to allow you to hook one fish. It does work and it is safer!

Another issue on ethics that I would like to address is those that practice catch and release. It is up to everyone that fishes to learn the proper and correct way to release a spent fish after a long or short battle. The survival rate of those undersized fish we release can be the difference in tomorrow's resource. We should handle each and every fish we release with a kiss. Do not traumatize the fish anymore than necessary. Make every attempt to not place your hand inside the gill plate as foreign bacteria from your hand can cause the gill rakers to become diseased. After removing the hook the fish should be cradled with two hands to support the internal structure and help prevent the fish from being disoriented. Once the fish is in the water, hold the tail while forcing oxygen into its system by physically moving the fish until it becomes active enough to swim away on its own. The concerned angler will not allow himself to throw, drop, or kick any fish back into the water.

If you catch a legal size fish and place it on a rope in the water and the next fish you catch is larger, what a quandary to be in! The ethical angler knows that the right thing to do is to release the larger fish to be caught again. No questions asked! It's a done deal! The fish tied to the rope is swimming, but what are its' chances of surviving after you remove the rope to put through the larger fish?

Those of my fellow anglers who use the words like 'rats' and 'trash fish' do not understand that all species that swim in the water can be utilized for food. What is an underutilized or trash fish to one is like steak to another. We should refrain from using words that show distain toward a size of fish or species we do not care for. Who knows some day all the fish we catch from shore might only be underutilized species.

It is up to each of us to formulate our own fishing ethics and pass them on to the next generation in order to keep the traditions alive. If we pass on good ethics, ultimately we will have a positive affect on the very resource we enjoy. We will enhance the aquatic resource and make a more conscious angler. The resource is everything. Without it we cannot share in the wonderment God placed before us.

C. A. Johansen