The Solution to the Snagged Lures in Japan; Marine Sweeper’s Activity

Have you ever thought about what happens to the lures left in the bottom of the sea, after your lure is snagged to the structure? The answer is clear. It remains in the water until it degrades or is broken down into pieces. It takes a very long time for that.

Facing this headache of anglers, one Japanese company has been doing grassroots activity. They dive down to the bottom and pick up the abandoned lures. What is interesting is that they make it a business re-selling their collected lures. 

This blog article introduces this company and would like to present an opportunity for us to think about how we fish.

Marine Sweeper

Based in Shizuoka prefecture, Marine Sweeper is a unique environmental project dedicated to collecting lost fishing tackle – such as lures, lines, and other debris – from the ocean. Using activities like diving, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding, the team turns time on the water into an opportunity to make it cleaner and safer.

The founder of this company, Mr. Keita Doi is an angler himself. And his simple idea to clean the left lures drove him to start the activity. Since he got this idea in his college days, it kept him busy and after he graduated he came to think about business models to make it sustainable. 

Currently, his activity is supported by several sponsors, such as A-Tec (fishing tackle brand), Jackson (lure brand), and Varivas (fishing line brand), from tackle industry. And what he picks up from the ocean is refurbished (re-painted, re-hooked, sometimes reused as a metal material) and sold in some fishing tackle shops.

Snagged lures

Lost fishing tackle is more than just litter. For marine life, it can mean entanglement, injury, or even death. For anglers, it can damage the very ecosystems that sustain healthy fish populations. By retrieving these items from the seabed, Marine Sweeper not only protects marine wildlife but also helps maintain vibrant fishing grounds for the future. This is a direct investment in the sustainability of the sport (Instagram activity example).

Of course, lures or fishing tackle are not the only kind of debris that affects marine lives.There are hundreds of other factors affecting the environment or sea creatures. And the fishing tackle in the bottom of the sea is not of the biggest impact for the environmental degradation. 

However, we have to admit the fact that it is clear that the snagged lures are there because of the fisherman. It is different from the PET bottles floating in the water or sinking trash beer cans. We need to realize this. 

Their Activities

The group has participated in shore clean-up programs and underwater sweeps, recording and reporting each recovery. For example, in April 2024 they removed about 10 kg of debris, followed by even larger hauls in later operations (you can view their activities in their instagram posts). Each cleanup is carefully documented, building a valuable record of marine debris in fishing areas.

What can we do for the future

Their re-built lures sales can give them help to sustain their activity. Every purchase helps fund future clean-up missions, giving anglers a way to support the waters they fish in.They sell their lures on-line (shop link).

For anglers, the significance is clear: cleaner waters mean healthier fish populations, safer casting areas, and a more enjoyable experience on the water. By supporting Marine Sweeper, anglers help ensure that their favorite fishing spots remain productive, beautiful, and accessible for generations to come.

Marine Sweeper is proof that passion for fishing and commitment to conservation can go hand in hand—uniting ocean lovers and anglers under the shared goal of protecting the waters we all depend on.

For your interest, you can view a video of their activity. It was featured in the news program.

If you would like to contact them to know their activity more, please let me know, from the comments section.