**Cleaning Up Fishing Fishing Spots**

[Pfishingruven]

I have been hearing that fishing locations have been littered with garbage.  I also read on another forum how several 55 gallon trash bags were filled at many popular fishing sites with garbage that people have left behind.  I have also seen it first hand.  I know we have all seen it first hand and have cleaned up the garbage before!  I am positive true fishermen are not dirtying the same locations they love to fish in.  I saw pictures of what looked like the Shark River Inlet(Avon side) cleanup and it looked like a dump.  Massive amounts of garbage all over the place!  What was worse...tons of people fishing and only 2 people cleaning!!

If you know of a "dirty" fishing spot and can't clean it up yourself, leave a note on the board or PM me.  I am available during the day and am willing to take rides out and clean up the garbage.  Being that I have kid duty during the day, I can't fish.  However my son loves to get out of the house.  We usually hit some of the local fishing spots and take a walk.  We always pick up any garbage left behind.  If there are specific areas that need to be cleaned up let me know.  It usually doesn't take long. 

In doing some research into reasons that public access has been blocked to docks, beaches, the bay, etc...garbage/litter and fish bait/parts left behind is cited as some of the main reasons after "SAFETY!"  We certainly don't need to lose anything more than we already have.  Not too mention that the waters here in Ocean County and parts of Monmouth County have been the cleanest they have been in years!  I would hate to see it go back to the days when I was younger!!

Thanks

 

[wink_man]

I clean up after others everytime I'm out there. Amazing how there's garbage cans at the canal, yet people can't put their garbage in the can, it's easier to just drop it on the ground, even if you're only 25 feet away from the can.

The only thing I won't pick up is empty beer cans and bottles. Unfortunately, there is a 'no drinking' ordiance at the canal(and the inlet), and as far as the Point Pleasant cops are concerned, if you have an open container of an alchoholic beverage on you, you're a great target for an expensive ticket.

Oh and while I'm at it, to the clown that is leaving empty beer cans up by my spot in the canal, pick them up and take them out with you. You have no problem carrying them in worrying about getting a ticket, so you should have no problem with it taking them out too.

Garry

[wink_man]

 

In doing some research into reasons that public access has been blocked to docks, beaches, the bay, etc...garbage/litter and fish bait/parts left behind is cited as some of the main reasons after "SAFETY!"  We certainly don't need to lose anything more than we already have. 


 

Absolutely. The Bogans USED to let people fish off the dock by the big Jamaca, and there is a great weakfish hole there, easy casting distance from the dock. Anyways, they got tired of the litter and empty beer cans left behind, so they stopped it, can't say that I blame them.

Garry

[Pfishingruven]

Yeah, it is a real shame that people can't clean up after themselves!  Sometimes I think garbage cans make it worse, although I have not completely sold myself on that opinion.  Although, the parks with Carry In and Carry Out Garbage policies seem to work to an extent.  I also think people feel it is only 1 or 2 pieces of trash that they left behind.  They don't bother to think that 1 or 2 x 100 people and you have a mess.  The other responsibility falls on the agency responsible for emptying the garbage cans.  If they are overflowing and not being emptied regularly, it is no ones fault except the town, county or state for not keeping on top of it! 

I don't blame you for not touching the alcoholic beverage containers!  That's a shame too, that a police officer couldn't understand that someone else would be cleaning up garbage.  This society we live in is something else!!

 

[IrishAyes]

pfish, do you do boats? Mine is usually a mess when we get in from fishing.  J/K.   

You are right though. Too many slobs in this world. Everyone thinks someone else will pick up after them. I see too many empty bait containers lining the Shark River inlet jetties when I am going out. Don't know what you would consider a 'true fisherman', but 'these fishermen' sure do leave a mess.

[ped579]

As far as garbage clean up goes on the beaches here locally it is not bad at all.  I enjoy fishing from Ortley Beach south to the inlet. I have net seen much garbage at all which is great.

I have seen some on IBSP which is usually picked up if I spot it.  As a member of NJBBA we are always looking to gain access to other sites one of the best selling points is that we help to keep the garbage to a minimum.  I carry around garbage bags and am always telling people to clean up after themselves by giving them an empty bag.

As far as the empty beer cans go if you spot them on IBSP please clean them up on your way out and dispose them in the containers at almost every parking area.  I carry around a gripper if I am just checking out the beach this way I can make sure the areas I am fishing are clean before I actually fish them.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Pfishingruven]

Irish,

       Sure...if your boat is in dock, dirty and my son and I are taking a walk...we'll clean it!    Anything to get him out of the house and away from a playground with 300 kids on it!!

       The Shark River Inlet was bad  !!  I see that 2 people cleaned it up the other day.  They filled several garbage bags full of litter.  An Avon Police Officer saw them doing this and put a call into their Public Works to have the garbage bags picked up!!  Unfortunately, they said that there were a bunch of people fishing and no one bothered to stop and help...what is more disturbing is that no one even said Thank You!  They all fished as though these people were a cleaning service being paid to cleanup.  I guess I can't complain because I wasn't there cleaning up.  I just can't imagine not helping if I was there...even if it wasn't my garbage.  If it is somewhere I fish, I can help to keep it clean...that is my fee for fishing there!

A true fishermen to me is someone who loves the sport of fishing and all of the downfalls that come with it...not catching any fish, abiding by ridiculous rules sometimes, keeping the fishery and the environment they live in clean and litter free while being able to reap the benefits of it...good tasting seafood, a good time solo or with family and friends, etc...

I am done ranting!!  I am far from a treehugger either, I just don't understand it!?!?  This is probably directed at the wrong audience anyway, but I figured if someone knew of an area that was really bad or habitually bad and in a desperate need of being cleaned...I would change from my usual walking areas.  I am pretty sure if someone knew of an area they would have probably cleaned it up already, as has been noted so many times.  In just a couple of weeks, I have come to learn that NJSWF has a great group of fishermen!  Not too mention many very talented and knowledgeable fishermen as well!!

Thanks
 

[IrishAyes]

Pfish, I am sure you know that anyone willing to share information as readily as the guys do here, will also be the ones who pick up trash laying around whether it is their's or not.

And, judging by your posts, you fit right in here. 

[ped579]

Keep up the good work Pfishingruven.  If others see some of us maybe we can start a movement, that is why I carry a box of bags around.  I hand them to larger groups on the beach and for thre most part they get the idea.

Thanks again for helping.

Paul

[Luna Sea 5]

true.. keep our waters clean

[brickken]

I was a scout leader with my son for many years. One of their guiding principles is leave no trace behind. A very simple statement saying if you are in nature you will leave no trace that you had visited. This meant picking up other litter that you see in the area you are using, not just yours.

I am always reminded of a very powerful TV commercial from the 70's that played the song this land is your land... it showed nature spots littered with garbage and ended with a native American chief looking at the mess with a tear running down his face. It was a great commercial about not littering that I remember to this day.

Good job and nice of you to volunteer. 

[adesai73]

I was a scout leader with my son for many years. One of their guiding principles is leave no trace behind. A very simple statement saying if you are in nature you will leave no trace that you had visited. This meant picking up other litter that you see in the area you are using, not just yours.

Simply put, as the signs I've seen in many parks say...

"Take only photographs.  Leave only footprints."

[ped579]

 

[Capt -Jerry P]

people stink

i always seen this at union beach.

then people will complain when you cant fish there

need to give big fines

[Art Berkman]

Even the bay beaches in the Hampton Bays were a mess when we arrived on Sat.

People carry beer in at night & leave there empty can's on the beach.

It's harder to carry it in and easier carrying the cans out.

We picked up what the other's left !

Just can't understand how people think 

[CapBob]

From my time in the Scouts I was always taught to bring out more than you bring in.......thats what I live by whether fishing or hunting or hiking/camping