Discarded Fishing Lines and Hooks Kill Wildlife

It’s estimated that over 1 million birds die every year from ingesting or becoming entangled in fishing line and hooks. The most common victims are seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Fishing line and hooks can also entangle and kill other animals, such as turtles, dolphins, and whales.

Here are some specific examples of the impact of discarded fishing lines and hooks on birds:

• In the United States, an estimated 300,000 shorebirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in fishing line and hooks.
• In the United Kingdom, an estimated 100,000 seabirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in fishing line and hooks.
• In Australia, an estimated 20,000 seabirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in fishing line and hooks.

The problem of discarded fishing lines and hooks is a global one. It is estimated that over 640,000 tons of fishing gear is abandoned or lost each year worldwide. This abandoned and lost gear, also known as “ghost gear,” can continue to entangle and kill animals for years or even decades.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the number of birds that are killed by discarded fishing lines and hooks. These include:

• Educating anglers about the dangers of discarded fishing lines and hooks.
• Providing anglers with the resources they need to dispose of fishing line and hooks properly.
• Enacting laws and regulations that prohibit the disposal of fishing line and hooks in the environment.

By taking these steps, we can help to protect birds and other wildlife from the dangers of discarded fishing lines and hooks.