Responsible Fishing

Responsible Fishing & Regenerative Tourism

At Emma Kate Fishing Trips, we know that our business depends on the sea, the local environment and the community around us. We are a small family-run business based in Padstow, and our aim is to offer enjoyable fishing trips while operating in a way that is responsible, practical and respectful of the place we work in.

Regenerative tourism is about making sure tourism has a positive impact on the destination, not just bringing people to it. For us, that means looking after the fishing grounds we use, encouraging sensible fishing practices, supporting the local visitor economy and helping people understand more about the sea, the coastline and the fish they catch.

Responsible fishing

Fishing is at the heart of what we do, but we believe it should be done with care. Our skippers use their experience and local knowledge to guide each trip responsibly, taking account of the season, species, conditions and what is suitable on the day.

We encourage customers to keep only what they will use and to avoid unnecessary waste. Where fish are suitable to take home, we want people to value their catch and understand it as food, not just part of the activity.

Reducing waste

We are continuing to look at practical ways to reduce waste on board and after each trip. This includes encouraging customers to bring suitable bags or containers for any fish they take home, and exploring reusable catch bags as part of our future plans.

We also aim to keep our communication clear before each trip so customers know what to bring, how to prepare and how to avoid unnecessary single-use items where possible.

Local knowledge and education

A fishing trip is also a chance for visitors to learn more about the area. Our crew share local knowledge about the coastline, fishing grounds, species, tides and life at sea throughout the experience.

We welcome beginners and families, and we believe that helping people understand fishing properly is part of encouraging a more responsible relationship with the sea.

Supporting the local area

Emma Kate is part of Padstow’s working harbour and visitor economy. Our trips bring people into the town, supporting local accommodation providers, cafés, restaurants, shops and other local businesses.

We also work with local partners where appropriate and are keen to develop future projects that give back to the community, including opportunities to introduce local young people to fishing, boats and the marine environment.

Wildlife and the coastline

Our trips take place along a beautiful and active coastline, where customers may see seabirds, marine wildlife and changing coastal conditions. We encourage people to enjoy these sightings responsibly and with care.

Our team’s decisions are always guided by safety, weather, sea conditions and responsible behaviour on the water.

Our future plans

We are continuing to improve how we operate and communicate our responsible tourism approach. Our plans include developing reusable catch bags, creating simple information for customers about fish species and cooking their catch, and exploring ways to support local schools or youth groups by helping young people learn more about fishing, boats and the sea.

We know we are still developing this area, but our approach is practical and genuine: fish responsibly, reduce waste where we can, support the local area, and help visitors leave with a better understanding of the sea and the place they have visited.