Conservation causes benefit from $0.5m-plus donations from AFTCO

While AFTCO will be remembered for winning all four apparel categories in the 2021 ICAST New Product Showcase, the Californian company places equal pride on its less publicised contributions to fishing conservation.

During the year, it donated $548,000 to conservation causes through its annual 10% Pledge to Protect and Conserve with business owners, the Shedd family, giving at least that proportion of profits to protect resources and make fisheries sustainable.

The three organisation to benefit most from the contributions were:

• The Coastal Conservation Association – $139,900 in support of its mission to protect marine resources and angler access.

• Keep America Fishing – $75,000 towards its efforts to minimise access restrictions, promote clean waters and restore fish populations.

• Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute – $75,000 in a year when it released 90,000 fish into the ocean to replenish stocks, as well as publishing 19 research papers.

Another major beneficiary was the B.A.S.S. Nation grassroots initiative which received $20,000 in grants for B.A.S.S. Nation clubs working to improve their local fisheries through habitat restoration and creation.

Looking ahead to 2022, AFTCO also plans to continue using recycled and sustainable products in its clothing and to take ‘considerate actions’ in its warehouse and offices to reduce energy and waste.

“These goals are set to mitigate our landfill footprint, resulting in better water quality, to slow plastic pollution in our oceans and to lower carbon emissions,” says the company.