Fishing line bins promote conservation at state parks
Mitchell Warren
Issue date: 9/29/09 Section: News
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The program, which places PVC pipe bins around popular lakes in Nebraska, was originally brought to the association through a member who had seen similar programs succeed in other locations around the country.
After the program was established in early 2008, bins started popping up throughout Nebraska. By the end of the year, 24 bins had been placed throughout the state and four shipping boxes had been filled with used line. Steve Wagle, a director and program volunteer, estimates the bins produced 150 pounds of fishing line within the first year.
"The first year was slow going," Wagle said, "but the program has been getting better."
Wagle said more than 100 bins will be installed by this winter
Used and abandoned fishing line creates unsightly messes and endangers wildlife in and around Nebraska's lakes.
"Canadian Geese are having the biggest problems," Wagle said. "People are getting tired of seeing geese tangled up."
A flyer handed out by the association displays a goose with its legs entangled with fishing line as a visual reminder that line left by anglers can damage the ecosystem. When geese get stuck in fishing line, their chance for survival drops.
Stray line affects more than just wildlife. Fishing line routinely washes up amidst fishing piers, which makes it nearly impossible to cast a line without getting snagged. Boaters must also be wary as a ball of fishing line can easily damage a boat's engine.
Part of the growing problem is that anglers have been moving away from traditional nylon line and adopting braided line. Braided line is made from strong materials like Kevlar and is extremely hard to break. This stronger line is harder for fishermen to retrieve and for wildlife to escape from.
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