Colby Blackwell on the positive ecological effects of the global lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt many industries, from restaurants to retail stores to hospitals. However, there might actually be a silver lining to people staying inside more often.

Colby Blackwell, a fishing influencer, has researched and found that the global lockdown has had positive ecological effects on our world.

One of the things that’s been most positively impacted by people staying home is air quality. The air in cities that are usually smoggy or hard to breathe has cleared up dramatically.

This is because fewer businesses are running, which can have a considerable impact on the environment. Air quality affects so many other parts of earth’s biome: vegetation, soil, and you guessed it–our water.

While Colby appreciates all of these positive impacts, water quality is especially important to Blackwell.

“Since less industrial fishing and manufacturing is taking place, the quality of water going to peoples’ homes is much better,” says Blackwell.

“This has even extended to the ocean since fewer companies are throwing away waste,” he adds. Activities like cutting down trees in the rainforest or fracking have been decreased or halted due to the pandemic.

“All of this is great for our environment, but it will be temporary unless we can make big changes. This is showing us what the world can be like if we cared about caring for it,” exhorts Blackwell.

Blackwell has been a fishing influencer since he was just 16. He specializes in kayak fishing and loves to get out on the water.

In 2019, he caught two world record-sized fish off Panama’s coast, including a huge 52’’ Cubera Snapper and a 50’’ Broomtail Grouper.

“I love fishing anywhere. I don’t have to reel in the biggest catch every time, as long as it’s something to be proud of.”

He shares some of his biggest catches on his Instagram, which has almost 30,000 followers.

You can also watch videos of what it’s like to fish in the ocean, such as a Virtual Reality 360-degree Goliath Grouper catch and release on his YouTube channel.

“I want to show people how intense and fun the sport can be. Many people need a push to get out there and try new things.

I think watching my videos will show them that it’s exciting and thrilling to get out there and find the fish of your dreams,” says Blackwell.

Blackwell is careful to catch fish in an environmentally friendly way. “I want to preserve the earth and the marine ecosystems as much as possible. Sometimes that means releasing fish back or using the right type of bait for the environment.

I’m very respectful and careful, and I urge other fishermen to act the same way.” He has several deep-sea kayak fishing trips planned for summer 2021.

“The weather is getting warmer, and I’m starting to get antsy to get back onto the kayak. It’s where I really feel at home,” he says.

Although the pandemic doesn’t have many upsides, Colby Blackwell hopes it will act in favor of his chances of making a big catch as things get back to normal.