Drift net fishing is an extremely effective yet destructive fishing technique where long nets, sometimes 50 miles wide, are placed in waters with floats at the top and weights at the bottom. The nets are then left to drift and they capture anything in their path. The practice is effective at catching tuna, swordfish and salmon but it also captures dolphins, turtles and other creatures that are killed as a byproduct of the fishing endeavor. While the practice is widely illegal, it is still commonly practiced and stopping it requires a lot of effort.
Instructions
- 1 Join an activist group that is committed to stopping illegal net fishing. One person alone is limited in overall effectiveness, but a larger group can coordinate events and get more attention to the issue at hand. Advocacy groups are always looking for people to lend a helping hand. Earthtrust is one of the larger advocacy groups dedicated to preventing net fishing.
2 Donate money to net fishing advocacy groups, who always need resources to continue their operations.
3 Write letters to your local politicians explaining the dangers of net fishing and any known problems in your area of the activity being conducted. If there are local problems with net fishing, you'll need the attention and assistance of local politicians and law enforcement to combat it.
4 Plan fund raising events to support the advocacy groups you have partnered with. This can range from a simple yard sale to a more involved public protest, depending on your resources and how prevalent net fishing is in your area. Every little bit helps and also raises awareness of the cause to the general public.
