An Arrowing Adventure
We don’t know what to make of these signs posted at the famous Santa Monica Pier. Some have an arrow while others have a double-headed arrow, and good luck to anyone who tries to fish between them (and presumably, below them).
Maybe that’s the whole “point”: with the threat of a fine looming over them, fearful fishermen might choose to dip their rods somewhere else. Nobody does passive-aggressive better than Cali, amiright? (image via Slava at top and bossco above)
Just Don’t
The thing about graphics-only signs is that everyone who views them comes away with a different interpretation. Take the bold but bewildering advisory above, a classic example of designed-by-committee signage provided by the UK Environment Ministry. No running with fishes? Fish left on plates smell bad? Don’t attack fish with pointed sticks? Better play it safe by avoiding fish entirely, that way nothing bad will happen to you OR them. This message approved by the British Beef Association. (image via nathalie_r)
Right & Wrong
Fishermen eager to stay on the right side of the law at the scenic Leopoldskroner Weiher lake in Salzburg, Austria means channelling one’s inner Moses to part the waters. How else to ensure you’re casting into the fishing-approved part of the lake on the left and not the protected fish sanctuary to the right? Violators may find themselves sentenced to 40 years wandering in a fish-less wilderness if they don’t do right by fishing left. (image via Christian Köberl)
Wood Not Fish Again
Creatively carved No Fishing sign or custom “catch of the day” serving board at Frying Nemo? Why not both? Anyway, you’ll find this cool No Fishing sign in Concha de Perla, a popular seaside travel destination on Isabela island in the Galapagos. Are you surprised there’s no fishing allowed in an iconic island archipelago that’s been a national park since 1959? Giant tortoise outside shoulda told ya. (image via Leon Brocard)
Blowfish
So the fishing is dynamite in your area? That’s a bingo or should we say, that’s a BANGO! Actually, it’s a NO-NO, assuming your area is the Ballestas Islands, just off the coast of southern Peru. The small group of islands is included in the country’s Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National Reserve System and is one of Peru’s most popular ecotourism hotspots. With that in mind, dynamite fishing (also known as “fish bombing”) is, shall we say, frowned upon here. (image via ryan.dowd)
Some fish you don’t want to catch, signs or not. Check out Butt Ugly: Deep-Sea Assfish Is Aptly Named!

