Ten ICAST Exhibitors Stand Up for Stewardship
OutdoorHub 07.07.11
Nebraska City, Neb., July 7, 2011 – In just a few days, 10 exhibitors at the world’s largest sportfishing trade show will make a powerful statement for our waters: We Are Stewards.
These companies and brands at the ICAST show in Las Vegas have partnered with Recycled Fish to say that we have an inherent responsibility to the fisheries upon which our industry relies. They know that our waters are in real trouble. According to the US EPA 49 percent of fresh water in the United States is so polluted that it can’t support a healthy fishery – and we are the ones who will lead the next charge to correct that problem.
“Catch and release and taking kids fishing is great, but on their own they just can’t solve the problems facing our waters or our industry,” says Teeg Stouffer, Recycled Fish Executive Director. “We are creating a lifestyle of stewardship among anglers through our choices both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream. These partners are taking leadership by bringing products that help us live as stewards on the water, and they’re considering their impact through manufacturing and packaging processes off the water.”
Bullet Weights, TTI Blakemore, Vexilar, Earthsmart, Castalia Outdoors, Fisherman’s Eco Soap, Fishhound, TipSee Light Co, Shark Tooth, and Big Pond Products all will feature a “We Are Stewards” display in their booths with take-away cards highlighting the Recycled Fish Stewardship Ethic. These brands also produce products that offer anglers environmentally conscious options.
Bullet Weights produces a non-toxic Ultra Steel and tungsten line of fishing weights, which are endorsed by Recycled Fish as part of the S.A.F.E. Angling program.
TTI Blakemore supports a number of stewardship initiatives with Recycled Fish through products like their Daiichi Circle Chunk hooks, Team Catfish Circle Chunk hooks, and Tru-Turn Cam Action hooks.
Vexilar is a leader in marine electronics, and a long-time partner on the Recycled Fish “On Ice” Tour, which brings the Stewardship Ethic to the ice fishing market through a series of live events every winter.
Earthsmart, LLC produces compostable, tree-free bait containers and picnic kits, which eliminate the need for environmentally destructive Styrofoam and plastic.
Castalia Outdoors distributes the Maruto Semi-Barbless hook, an innovative treble hook that helps give anglers confidence about hooking ability with less damage and potentially less air exposure to fish.
A newcomer to ICAST and the fishing industry, Fisherman’s Eco Soap offers a non-toxic, biodegradable soap that can be used to eliminate odors from anglers’ hands without introducing harmful chemicals to the waterways.
Fishhound is the world’s largest provider of real-time fishing reports delivered from licensed guides and boat captains. The company also has partnered with Recycled Fish to distribute Stewardship Tips and other conservation education to anglers through its unique digital platforms.
TipSee Light Co enters the fishing market this year with its Grip On Light, which is energy efficient, extremely durable, and reduces waste. Also, the company has pledged to support Recycled Fish initiatives.
Fly Fishing Specialties introduces the Megaladon saltwater series to its Shark Tooth line containment systems at this year’s ICAST, adding another product that leads to less fishing line waste. Shark Tooth also partners with Recycled Fish on a variety of angler education initiatives.
Finally, Big Pond Products, makers of the Ventafish fish venting and Ventafish De-Hooker tools, is a company dedicated to conservation products. For 2011, it begins distributing the “Songs From the Tackle Box” CD, an album of fishing music that celebrates fishing and the outdoor lifestyle. A portion of proceeds benefit Recycled Fish.
For more on Recycled Fish and the We Are Stewards campaign, visit www.RecycledFish.org or contact Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director at fishrecycler@recycledfish.org.
About Recycled Fish:
Recycled Fish is the non-profit organization of “anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.” We Are Stewards.
The Recycled Fish “Sportsman’s Stewardship Pledge” invites anglers to become actively involved as not just a user of our waters, but a steward of them. The SAFE Angling Program — Sustaining Angling, Fish and Ecosystems — is a way to help anglers embrace a lifestyle of stewardship on the water. It involves catch and release fishing, the use of single barbless hooks, biodegradable lures, and non-toxic weights. Recycled Fish also teaches anglers about preventing the spread of invasive species, habitat loss, removing litter and pollution prevention. For more information on the 501(c)3 group go to: www.recycledfish.org .
Recycled Fish Media Contact:
Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director
FishRecycler@RecycledFish.org
(253) 906-0420 (cell)
