Fishing Line Entanglement and Wildlife Welfare

Discarded fishing line causes serious injuries and death to birds, turtles, fish, and marine mammals worldwide. Responsible disposal and retrieval programs protect wildlife welfare.

Key Facts

Monofilament fishing line takes 600 years to degrade and can entangle wildlife for decades
Birds including pelicans, herons, cormorants, and loons are particularly vulnerable to fishing line entanglement
Entanglement causes injuries including amputated limbs, strangulation, and starvation
Ingested fishing hooks cause internal lacerations and are often fatal without veterinary intervention
Recycling bins for fishing line are installed at many fishing access points
Lost ghost fishing gear continues to entangle and kill marine wildlife indefinitely

Welfare Considerations

Fishing line entanglement causes prolonged, severe suffering. Birds with line wrapped around wings, legs, or necks may struggle for days or weeks before dying from strangulation, starvation, or infection. Hooks embedded in gullets or stomachs cause pain with every movement. Many entangled animals are difficult to catch for treatment, extending their suffering. Prevention through responsible disposal of all fishing line and tackle is the most important welfare intervention. Monofilament recycling programs and degradable fishing line development reduce environmental persistence. Wildlife rehabilitation centers treat entangled animals but prevention is vastly preferable.

What You Can Do

Cut and collect all used fishing line and dispose of it in designated recycling bins
Retrieve snagged fishing line from trees, vegetation, and water when safely accessible
Report entangled wildlife to local wildlife rehabilitation centers immediately
Support fishing line recycling programs and advocate for their installation at fishing areas
Consider switching to biodegradable fishing line where available