Leave no line behind. If you’re an angler, adopting that practice can be a lifesaver for wildlife.
Fishing line that’s not discarded properly can pose problems for animals, and particularly birds. Entanglement can cause stress, injuries and even death.
One incident that fortunately ended well last year involved a long piece of fishing line that bluebirds used in building a nest at DNR’s Social Circle offices.
Wildlife biologist Anna Yellin spotted the line poking out of the nest box. Fearing that the adult birds or chicks would become tangled, Yellin discussed what to do with DNR ornithologist and Program Manager Dr. Bob Sargent, and then worked with another employee to carefully remove the line.
“It was an awfully big piece for such a little bird!” she said.
The timing was right. The female had been incubating the eggs long enough that the brief disturbance didn’t prompt her to abandon the nest. And from the parents’ behavior, it seems the eggs hatched and the young fledged.
Here’s more from Audubon, plus details on recycling fishing line. (Note: Some DNR boat ramps and Public Fishing Areas include PVC receptacles for recycling line.)
Samuel W Elliott
THANK YOU. Perhaps this may reach someone BUT the GA trash heads that fish the hatchery supported streams are disgusting. You know it, wildlife officers see it every day. When I occasionally go to the Soque or other easy access streams I always come home with much more trash than the few fish I take. I have heard of one officer here in Athens making a stop for littering, which resulted in an arrest for illegal drugs. Lester Maddox was correct at least once when he said, “Georgia needs a better class of criminals”. “Sorry white trash” used to be a term describing this behavior. When there is a ticket or an arrest for littering or dumping, please publicize it; that might make someone think to do better.
PS: Do you know of a place to recycle monofilament line? I have gathered two quart size plastic bags packed full. Berkley used to advertise that they recycled and had some recycle boxes at sporting goods stores. I was thinking of mailing it to Berkley at Spirit Lake. I do not know if they did recycle or if that was just PR as the plastic bottle industry promoted for years. Why would anyone buy a bottle of water that is no better than tap water, has been trucked around the country, sat in front of a gas station in the sun and pay more for it than the cost of gas, then drink it?? Plastic has been reported found in testicles of humans and dogs. Maybe that explains the actions of dummies who litter, refuse to believe science, don’t pay child support and are a general problem etc.
THANKS AGAIN
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Based on Berkley’s website, they still accept fishing line mailed to them: Berkley Recycling, 1900 18th St.,
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360. There are line recycling bins at some Georgia boat ramps and Public Fishing Areas. However, mailing to Berkley may be the most direct route for you.
Samuel W Elliott
THANKS