by NSW Fisheries
Reducing fishing litter, lost gear and pollution
Fishing-related litter has been identified as a key environmental threat in NSW and elsewhere around the world. As well as impacting on aquatic habitats – and being a really bad look for all recreational fishers, litter can harm aquatic life. Although the amount of fishing-related litter may not be as high as other types, it can have a bigger impact on wildlife that interact with it.
Birds, turtles, platypus, seals and other aquatic animals can be accidentally injured by discarded fishing tackle by becoming entangled or ingesting the fishing gear - such as lost fishing line, hooks, sinkers, lures, traps and nets.
Also, visitors and their dogs that visit popular fishing sites to walk their dogs can also be impacted by fishing litter, especially discarded hooks.
No one likes the sight of litter or fishing waste when spending a day by the water so remember to always responsibly dispose of rubbish, bait and unwanted tackle - even if it is not yours!
Bin your used line and hooks
Fishing related litter has been identified as an important environmental threat, particularly for interactions with marine animals. Hook and line bins installed in fishing hotspots offer a disposal solution for waste fishing line and tackle.
If these bins are used correctly, they will help reduce the risk of litter making its way out into the environment and reduce the risk of interactions with our wildlife.
The bins are designed to allow for correct disposal of fishing line and tackle and are made from 100% recycled material. They will help create awareness on the issue of recreational fishing litter and inspire individuals to do the right thing and dispose of unwanted gear responsibly.
The department has been collaborating with local councils and organisations to determine the best locations to place the bins and have been installing the bins since 2021. These locations are usually around public facilities, fishing hotspots and boat ramps. We are currently working with more councils around the state to roll out more of the bins. Keep your eye for them in your local area!
Handy tips to help reduce fishing-based litter and marine debris include:
- Go packaging free - Before you go fishing, properly dispose of packaging from any new gear. Using a tackle box is a great way to keep gear tidy, accessible and packaging-free, preventing litter from getting into our waterways.
- Stash your trash - Be mindful of where you keep your litter while fishing to prevent it from attracting wildlife or being blown or washed away.
- Fish smarter - Fishing in areas with snaggy structure? Think before you cast. Fish towards the features rather than over them, or carefully present your bait above any structure to improve your catch rate and reduce gear loss. Familiarise yourself with fishing techniques that minimise gear loss and marine litter.
- Mind your lines - Keep a close eye on your lines and gear while fishing. Attending your lines can prevent lost tackle and means you can avoid unwanted interactions with wildlife and other water users.
- Remove bait and secure hooks when you're not fishing to avoid any interactions with kids, dogs, and wildlife.
- Look out for hook and line bins that are specifically designed for used and discarded recreational fishing gear.
- Leave no trace - Leave your fishing spot cleaner than you found it. After fishing, take a moment to scan and clean up any unused bait, fish waste, and any litter, even if it isn't yours.
- Collect and properly dispose of unused bait, bait packaging, fish waste, and litter, even if it isn’t yours. Leave your fishing spot cleaner than you found it
- If a public bin is overflowing, find another bin or take your rubbish home with you.
- Make it safe - When disposing of fishing line, cut it into small pieces and ensure that it is secure within the bin to reduce the risk of entangling scavenging birds and wildlife.
- Get involved - Go the extra mile and participate in any ‘Clean Up’ events that are taking place in your local area. By participating, you'll not only be making a positive impact on the environment but also contributing to the social fabric of your community and recreational fishing.
Pollution
When cleaning your catch, be mindful where your fish waste ends up. You should place it in the bins provided or take it home with you.
It is particularly important not to dispose of fish waste into sheltered waters such as small bays and estuaries, as it can have a negative impact on water quality and the local environment. As the waste decomposes through bacterial action, it can cause dissolved oxygen to become depleted, reducing water quality and impacting the wildlife that inhabit the ecosystem.
Fish waste can also create unpleasant odours, especially during the warmer months. It can also attract fish scavengers such as stingrays, or other wildlife (such as pelicans and seals in certain locations) to the area which, although providing a food source for them, alters their normal behaviour and could potentially impact on their health and fitness. It can also result in creating an unsafe environment for the community.
When disposing of fishing line whilst fishing, cut it into small pieces and ensure that it is securely contained within the bin to reduce the risk of entangling scavenging birds and wildlife like this unlucky cormorant tangled in fishing line on the Central Coast.
Photo: Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue team.
Make use of hook and line bins at popular fishing spots or recycle lines if this option is available.
How to reduce injuries and interactions:
- Always attend your lines and check your crab traps and nets regularly. Reducing set time for any fishing gear reduces the chances of harm to accidentally caught aquatic animals.
- Use environmentally friendly crab traps and nets to reduce your bycatch or adapt your current gear.
- Use of crab traps and nets when fishing towards an estuary’s headwaters has a higher risk of interacting with platypus. Please be extra vigilant, check traps and nets regularly and consider moving gear further downstream.
- Remember opera style yabby traps are not permitted in NSW.
- Minimise interactions with birds - avoid bird feeding and nesting areas and keep your distance so as not to disturb them.
- Be aware that interactions causing disturbance with shorebirds and mammals can have negative impacts on their health, well-being and survival.
- Be familiar with ways to minimise litter and lost fishing gear and dispose of it properly.
- Respect your catch – whether they are your target species, a pest species or whether they are scavenger that you try to avoid. All fish you interact with should be treated with respect and released or humanely euthanised using best practice. The community is discouraged from directly targeting, disturbing or interacting with rays adjacent to boat ramps and fish cleaning facilities as they are often important to the local community.
The Fish For Life - Keep It Clean initiative is funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts and Marine Estate Management Strategy.