This is a good topic for the CBC to tackle. Educating the fishing and non-fishing public is key. I think signs w/ or w/o the photo would help as well as sponsoring a publicized clean-up day.
I looked briefly at the DEC’s website to see how they treat the issue. Their on-line bulletin "Fishing Responsibly in New York State," < http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ <http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9223.html> 9223.html <http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9223.html>> briefly addresses the hazards of discarded monofilament line. Unfortunately, it is not required reading for a fishing license. It states: “Experienced anglers recognize the need to frequently cut back or change to fresh monofilament fishing lines. The relatively soft composition of these popular lines makes them easily damaged while playing or landing fish. When replacing or fixing damaged line, be sure to properly dispose of any excess. Monofilament line degrades slowly in the environment, with heavier lines taking much longer to break down than light lines. Carelessly discarded monofilament line can seriously harm wildlife. Animals can become entangled in, or ingest the line, whereby starvation, strangulation or deep wounding are possible. So, be sure to remove any discarded line as well as any other monofilament line that you may encounter while fishing.” In 2004, the DEC sponsored a state-wide beach (marine and fresh) cleanup as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, but did not continue the program in subsequent years. This September marks is the The Ocean Conservancy's 27th annualInternational Coastal Cleanup. The Conservancy offers a community cleanup action kit at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ourwork/marine<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-6.html> debris/<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-6.html> international<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-6.html> -<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-6.html> coastal-cleanup-6.html<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-6.html>. It’s short notice, but perhaps members of the CBC could organize such a clean up for the end of September or October? I’ll help. Candace On Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 12:11 PM, Marie P Read <[email protected]> wrote: > I wonder whether the Bird CLub should take up a new project: a sign, > using a photo such as Paul's (I couldn't actually bring myself to look at > it), the sign to include something like "Dispose of your used line wisely", > to be placed near fishing areas, would make people pay more attention to > this awful issue. It would be controversial and upsetting to some > people....but then, so what?? STuff happens that way. > > Marie > > Marie Read Wildlife Photography > 452 Ringwood Road > Freeville NY 13068 USA > > Phone 607-539-6608 > e-mail [email protected] > > http://www.marieread.com > > ***NEW*** Music of the Birds Vol 1 ebook for Apple iPad now available > from iTunes > > http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/music-of-the-birds-v1/id529347014?mt=11 > ________________________________________ > From: [email protected] [ > [email protected]] on behalf of Paul Anderson [ > [email protected]] > Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2012 10:56 AM > To: CAYUGABIRDS-L > Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Myers and Hog Hole this morning, plus the hazards > of discarded fishing line > > Below are my eBird reports for Myers Point and Hog Hole - nothing too > surprising in either location. > > However, at Myers in a tree by the creek a Kingfisher had gotten trapped > in fishing line with predictable and tragic results. > > Don't look if you are easily upset... > > https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VB5Pmc14LEr9HVGdHnGVhdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink > > -Paul > > > > -- > > Cayugabirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds > 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
