Fishing Litter – The Toxic Killer in our Waters
One aspect of fishing which appeals to many anglers is the opportunity to spend time and relax outside in the fresh air, often in a scenic and stunning setting. In fact for many anglers our river banks and fisheries offer some of the most peaceful and tranquil environments in the UK.
Angling Litter - Fishing line, float, hooks.
Photo Courtesy of Richard L. Tarchinski: http://www.pkupline.com
To an extent there are unwritten laws about the way we conduct ourselves down by public fishing venues and rivers. Generally keeping noise levels down so as not to disturb other anglers, not encroaching upon other anglers’ swims and keeping your peg clear when you leave to name a few.
I find it infuriating when I head down to a venue only to find the previous angler hasn’t had the decency to tidy the peg and clear up after their session, leaving behind rubbish, or worse throwing it into the surrounding foliage instead of a nearby bin! This is simply not acceptable, and not only is it irritating for other anglers and the site caretaker, but also takes something away from the purity that fishing offers, and the natural, tranquil setting many anglers enjoy. Besides this, there is a much larger problem that it causes for the environment…
Leaving rubbish such as beer cans, plastic bags and wrappers (popular fishery rubbish) , pollutes the environment, harms and is potentially deadly to fish and other wildlife including birds and small mammals. It’s not just the usual rubbish such as plastic bags that gets left behind either. Careless anglers might leave equipment behind; fishing line, hooks and other small items such as lures.
Some areas around fisheries and particularly rivers are not solely fishing spots either. Often these are areas where non-anglers may spend time, such as people walking pets or families having picnics, and the dangers become even more apparent with young children and animals such as dogs are about. Just recently there was a newspaper article regarding a dog that had picked up and chewed a fishing lure, it is needless to say the harm this can cause. However there is a greater killer at large that we all need to be aware of…
Pick Up Litter – No Butts
↑ Toxic Cigarette Soaked Water ↑
Photos Courtesy of Mark Armen: http://markjarmen.blogspot.com
↓ Below: Littered Cigarette Butts ↓
Recent Studies have revealed another serious killer of wildlife in the form of cigarette butts.
Over 5 trillion smoked cigarette butts are discarded into the environment on a yearly basis. A large number of anglers do enjoy a few cigarettes while fishing, particularly during long sessions with little activity.
The evidence of this is littered along the banks of nearly every venue I’ve visited. Often these cigarette butts will be washed into the water with rainfall, to join the many other cigarettes that are flicked straight into the river/lake by anglers. This is where the real danger becomes apparent.
When the cigarette butts are mixed with water they release several harmful chemicals such as benzenes, nicotine, heavy metals and other dangerous substances.
The photograph opposite clearly displays how water is affected by the introduction of cigarette butts. Not only has the colour drastically changed but the water is now harbouring chemicals some of which are highly toxic to fish and other species.
One study in America in San Diego University showed how a single cigarette butt with a little tobacco left can turn a litre of water a sickly yellow brown colour in one day and kill 50% of the fish swimming in it! In fact just a few filters without tobacco reminiscence can also do the same portraying the extreme toxicity and lethal potential.
STOP KILLING OUR WILDLIFE!
WE ALL NEED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR BANKSIDES CLEAN AND CLEAR OF RUBBISH PARTICULARLY CIGARETTE BUTTS TO ENSURE HEALTHY WILDLIFE & STOCKS OF FISH, SO PICK UP LITTER & LEAVE NO RUBBISH!
