A biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging of bait products? Surely, it’s a no-brainer?
Continue reading “Biodegradable Bait Box draws in ocean-caring fishers”
Tag: mendolia seafoods
An ocean-friendly solution to plastic-free fishing to protect our waterways
Perth-based company Mendolia Seafoods has launched an innovative and ocean-friendly alternative to plastic mulie bags in an effort to reduce litter in our oceans, rivers, estuaries and streams.
Building the success of their award-winning and plastic-free Burley Brick in 2018, Mendolia Seafoods have unveiled their latest biodegradable packaging product, dubbed Bait Box, with support from Recfishwest and the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF).
The Bait Box is aiming to prevent thousands of plastic bait bags from finding their way into the ocean.
Keeping our waterways clean
“We are proud to be associated with Mendolia Seafoods and the Bait Box – it is a fantastic concept that will help reduce unnecessary waste,” Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said.
“As stewards of the aquatic environment, it’s really important we anglers do our bit to keep the ocean clean, and Recfishwest is always eager to find new innovative products to improve fishing practices in this regard, such as the Bait Box.”
Similar to the Bait Box, Mendolia Seafoods’ Burley Brick is made from biodegradable cardboard and is filled with locally-sourced sardines products – making the entire product plastic free!
Speaking at the recent Cockburn Power Boats Club’s snapper info evening, Mendolia Seafoods General Manager Carlo Gosatti detailed the Bait Box’s benefits, generating plenty of interest among the fishers in attendance.
Ask your local tackle store to stock the Bait Box if they don’t already have it in.
Innovative steps to plastic-free fishing
Mendolia Seafoods, with the support of Recfishwest, have taken a huge step toward plastic-free fishing, with the launch of a new burley and bait product.
The packaging for the new product, named the ‘Burley Brick’, is made from biodegradable cardboard and is filled with locally sourced fish (sardine) products – making the entire product plastic free!
Mendolia Seafoods, which are WA-owned and operated and have been catching Sardines for 30 years in WA, and have come up with the design, using unwanted off-cuts of their famous sardine catches.
Fishers can either place the whole cardboard box directly into their burley bucket or their cray pot bait baskets and the cardboard will breakdown, or alternatively, the contents of the box can be placed in bait baskets and the box discarded in the bin.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said the product would save thousands of bait bags coming into contact with our aquatic environment, giving recreational fishers better stewardship over their fishing resources.
“The burley brick is an ideal product for fishing for demersal species where a constant burley trail is required,” Dr Rowland said.
“The product can also be used as your bait source for your next trip or it can be placed in your cray pots as bait.
“We are always looking for new innovative ways to improve fishing practices, and this product moves us in the right direction but more importantly reduces plastic waste.”
Sold as frozen 1kg bricks, the Burley Brick is a great way for fishers to become even better stewards of the aquatic environment by going plastic free when choosing their bait.
Current retailers selling Mendolia’s fantastic Burley Brick include:
- Exmouth Tackle and Camping;
- Getaway Cockburn;
- Getaway Balcatta;
- Getaway Kelmscott;
- Ranger Outdoors Bentley;
- Hillarys Boat and Tackle;
- Angler Fishing World, Fremantle;
- Rottnest Island General Store; and
- multiple Spud Shed stores.
Recfishwest are proud to promote and support clean environment initiatives such as the Fishing Line Disposal Bin program, clean-up days, developing recreational fishing Codes of Conduct for the Kimberley, Pilbara and Shark Bay, supporting shellfish reef restoration, working with our Fish Habitat Partners to build better fish habitats.
Another great benefit of the locally sourced Burley Brick is that it has very minimal biosecurity concerns, as we’re all aware of the current risks surrounding international and nationally sourced bait products entering WA waters.
If you would like to stock this product, get in touch with Mendolia Seafoods.
