Respect for Fish Day is coming right up on Monday, August 1, 2022, but we’re meeting up a day earlier. Our theme this year is ghost gear — abandoned or lost fishing gear that injures and kills fish and other unsuspecting animals. It’s not only fish who get entangled in ghost gear, but also ducks, coots, and water birds. They may lose feet or even their lives from getting tangled in dangerous ghost gear. 

A day in advance of Respect for Fish Day, we’re encouraging everyone to pick up ghost gear and enjoy activities in nature without harming fish or other animals. We need your help to raise awareness about the hazards of ghost gear in our community. Please join our special event to gather ghost gear at Lake Balboa Park!

Local animal advocates pick up the gear regularly, but they really need your support. We will boost their efforts by taking pictures of the ghost gear we gather, posting photos on social media, and tagging In Defense of Animals to spread the word. 

The first 10 arrivals will receive free Respect for Fish Day t-shirts, depending on the available sizes. Come on down, enjoy a day at the park, make new friends, and protect animals from derelict fishing gear!

What: Lake Balboa Ghost Gear Gather
When: Sunday, July 31, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Lake Balboa Park, 6300 Balboa Blvd, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Meet/Park: Meet outside the bathrooms near the parking area. Please refer to this park map to view the meeting spot. Here is a Google Map of the location.
Bring: Bring gloves to pick up ghost gear and a bag to carry it. We will have extra plastic bags and gloves if needed. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and walking shoes. Don’t forget your water bottle to stay hydrated! 

Invite your friends via the Facebook event page. 

We hope to see you and your friends at Lake Balboa on Sunday, July 31! Contact Lisa Levinson at lisa@idausa.org or (215) 620-2130 with any questions.

Please sign our alert to ban fishing and protect water birds at Lake Balboa if you haven’t already done so, and make the calls suggested if you haven’t yet.

You can also participate in Respect for Fish Day online by sharing social media images in our Toolkit and by distributing our ghost gear fact sheet. Discover more ways to take part on our website: www.respectforfish.org. 

Thank you so much in advance for participating in Respect for Fish Day to create a more compassionate world for fish and other animals harmed by ghost gear!

In Defense of Animals fully expects and strongly urges all people involved in this campaign to act responsibly and lawfully and to respect the personal interests and privacy rights and concerns of any individuals who may be affected by, or become the subject of, your protests or related efforts.