Code of Conduct.

General Standard of Conduct

Members are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism, respect and reasonable regard for the reputation and mission of the Land Based Fishing Alliance.

Membership does not require uniform opinions. Respectful disagreement, criticism, debate and advocacy are permitted. Personal attacks, harassment and intentional misconduct are not.

Compliance With Laws and Regulations

Members are responsible for complying with laws and regulations applicable to their fishing activities, businesses, events and conduct.

• Maintain required fishing licenses, permits and authorizations.
• Observe applicable species, season, size and possession regulations.
• Follow rules governing protected, prohibited or specially regulated species.
• Observe lawful public-access and property restrictions.
• Comply with applicable local, state and federal requirements.

LBFA membership does not replace any government license, permit, certification or authorization.

Responsible Fish and Wildlife Handling

Members should use fishing methods and handling practices consistent with applicable law, accepted conservation principles and reasonable care for the species involved.

• Avoid unnecessary injury, mistreatment or prolonged handling.
• Prepare appropriate equipment before targeting large or specialized species.
• Make reasonable efforts to reduce release time when release is required or intended.
• Never intentionally harm protected wildlife for entertainment, photographs or content.
• Follow mandatory reporting, tagging or release requirements when applicable.

Land-Based Shark Fishing

Members participating in land-based shark fishing are expected to recognize the additional public-safety, wildlife-handling and regulatory responsibilities associated with the activity.

• Obtain any permits or endorsements required in the jurisdiction being fished.
• Know protected and prohibited shark species before targeting sharks.
• Use equipment appropriate to the intended fishing activity.
• Plan the landing and release process before deploying bait.
• Minimize unnecessary time that a shark is restrained or removed from the water.
• Keep hooks, leaders and active fishing equipment reasonably controlled around the public.
• Avoid creating unnecessary conflict with swimmers, beach users or other anglers.

LBFA does not establish a substitute for jurisdiction-specific shark fishing regulations. The angler remains responsible for knowing and following the law where they fish.

Fishing Access and Shoreline Conduct

Protecting fishing access requires members to recognize that many shorelines are shared spaces.

• Do not intentionally block lawful public access.
• Respect private property and posted restrictions.
• Keep fishing areas reasonably clean and organized.
• Remove fishing line, hooks, leaders and trash.
• Take reasonable precautions to prevent equipment from creating hazards.
• Respect other lawful users of beaches, piers, jetties, parks and shorelines.

Respect, Harassment and Discrimination

LBFA is intended to be a productive organization for anglers, families, guides, businesses and coastal communities.

Members may not engage in harassment, threats, stalking, intimidation, discriminatory treatment, targeted bullying or retaliatory conduct in connection with LBFA participation.

Legitimate criticism, disagreement or good-faith reporting of concerns is not prohibited merely because another person finds it uncomfortable.

Honesty and Representation

Members must represent themselves and their relationship with LBFA accurately.

• Do not falsely claim LBFA certification, endorsement or official authority.
• Do not misrepresent a membership category, leadership position or committee role.
• Do not knowingly falsify qualifications, licenses or professional credentials.
• Do not knowingly submit false information during membership or screening.
• Do not use LBFA branding to create the appearance of an official partnership that does not exist.

Social Media and Public Communications

LBFA does not control members' personal opinions or ordinary lawful speech. Members remain responsible for distinguishing personal views from official Alliance positions.

When identifying themselves as LBFA members, representatives, chapter leaders or professional members, individuals should avoid conduct that reasonably suggests LBFA endorses personal attacks, knowingly false claims, harassment or unlawful activity.

Only persons authorized by LBFA may issue statements on behalf of the Alliance.

Business and Competitive Conduct

Professional Guide and Business / Industry membership does not require members to promote competitors or surrender legitimate business interests. Healthy competition is permitted.

Members may not use their LBFA relationship to intentionally sabotage another person's lawful business activities, impersonate competitors, manufacture false reviews, knowingly spread false business information or interfere with another member through harassment or deception.

Youth and Family Activities

Members participating in LBFA youth, family or educational programs must comply with applicable LBFA youth-protection requirements, event rules and role-specific screening requirements.

Adults involved in LBFA youth activities are expected to maintain appropriate boundaries, prioritize safety and promptly report genuine safety concerns through the proper channels.

Safety and Impairment

Members should not knowingly create an unreasonable safety risk to participants, clients, minors, other anglers or the public.

Individuals responsible for guiding, supervising an LBFA activity, operating equipment or directly overseeing minors must remain capable of safely performing those responsibilities.

Conservation and Stewardship

Members are encouraged to support healthy fisheries, habitat protection, responsible access and science-based conservation.

Members should avoid conduct that unnecessarily damages shoreline habitat, intentionally harms protected wildlife or leaves fishing debris that could endanger wildlife or the public.

Conflicts of Interest

Members serving in LBFA leadership, chapter, committee or decision-making roles should disclose material personal or financial interests when those interests could reasonably affect an Alliance decision.

LBFA positions and resources should not be used primarily for private retaliation, personal disputes or improper competitive advantage.

Complaints and Investigations

Members are encouraged to report serious or repeated Code violations through the complaint process designated by LBFA.

Members participating in an Alliance review should provide truthful information and avoid retaliation against individuals who make good-faith reports or participate in a review.

Knowingly false or malicious complaints may themselves constitute misconduct.

Cooperation With Alliance Processes

Members are expected to reasonably cooperate with legitimate LBFA administrative, safety, eligibility and disciplinary processes.

Nothing in this Code requires a member to surrender legal rights, waive applicable privileges or refrain from contacting law enforcement, regulatory agencies, legal counsel or other appropriate authorities.

Use of the LBFA Name and Branding

LBFA logos, member marks, chapter identifiers and other protected branding may be used only as permitted by current Alliance policy.

Suspension, expiration or termination of membership may require the member to discontinue use of member-only identifiers, directory listings or other materials suggesting active membership.