The Sustainable Angler: Climate Change Panel Discussion Recap

Posted on July 24, 2018

Rick Crawford

I would like to thank the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) for the opportunity to moderate The Sustainable Angler: Climate Change Panel Discussion at the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) show this year in Orlando.  It is truly humbling to be marrying my passion for fly fishing and sustainability and bringing sustainability to the fly fishing industry.  I would also like to thank the panelist: Dr. Aaron Adams from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Garrison Doctor from RepYourWater, Hilary Hutcheson from Lary’s Fly & Supply, and John Land Le Coq from Fishpond for being willing to particpate and thank you everyone who attended the panel discussion!

Left to Right: Rick Crawford, John Land Le Coq, Garrison Doctor and Hilary Hutcheson. Photo Credit: Lawson Builder

Population, Policy and Pollution: The 3 P’s

There are three main threats our fisheries face today and they are Population, Policy and Pollution, or the 3 P’s.  Population is a threat because of overfishing, and because if we are to mitigate the risks associated with climate change and a growing population, we will need to take a science-based approach to manage finite natural resources.  Policy is a threat with such things as what’s happening with the revision of Magnuson Stevens Act as well as policy issues such as public lands and what’s happening right now in the state of Florida with the mismanagement of water resources and discharges from Lake Okeechobee.  Pollution such as plastic is an obvious threat to our fisheries, but the greatest threat to our fisheries is pollution in the form of GHG emissions which result in climate change that is warming fresh water, causing ocean acidification and sea level rise, all of which negatively impact our fisheries.

Left to Right: John Land Le Coq, Garrison Doctor, Hilary Hutcheson and Dr. Aaron Adams. PC: Lawson Builder

Climate Change Facts

  • Sea levels have risen 8” over the last century and that rate of rise has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
  • 30 percent: The increase in acidity of the world’s oceans.
  • 16: Number of record-breaking hottest years since 2000. 2016 was the hottest year yet.
  • 1.5 degrees: The average worldwide temperature increase in Fahrenheit compared to a century ago.
  • 400 parts per million: Average concentration since 2016 of CO2 in the atmosphere, compared to 275 PPM for past 400,000 years.

Sources: NASA and EPA

Generally speaking, a warming planet means warmer water temperatures, which is bad for cold water species such as trout and causing salt water species like tarpon to change their migratory patters; ocean acidification is making it difficult for shelled animals (oysters, mussels, etc.) & crustaceans (shrimps, crabs, etc.) to build their shells and survive, which impacts entire ecosystems; and higher temperatures (on land and in the ocean) combined with more frequent droughts is causing marsh grass to disappear, which has a ripple effect through the marsh ecosystem.

With climate change threatening fisheries around the world, every business in the fly fishing industry should not only be talking about climate change, but should also be acting on climate!  The intent of “The Sustainable Angler: Climate Change Panel Discussion” is to not only educate and create more awareness about climate change, but also learn how some businesses are turning climate change into an opportunity.

Thanks again to everyone who attended and especially to Aaron, Garrison, Hilary and John!  Below is the full panel discussion:

[kad_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/0y3aIi-AGHk” ]