The trouble with trash

Have you ever headed out to your favourite beach, lake, or river for a day of fun in the sun, only to be shocked by the amount of garbage that’s lying around? It can really put a damper on your day, but for the animals that live there, all that trash is ruining their homes. That’s why it’s so important that we do what we can to make sure we keep our favourite shorelines clean and healthy!

You might be thinking, “I already do my part by making sure I always pick up my trash when we leave the beach”, but there’s another sneaky source of shoreline scraps that you may not have thought of: fishing leftovers! Not only can animals get tangled in discarded fishing line and nets, they can become seriously injured if they swallow fishing hooks and lures that look like tasty treats. So the next time you head to your favourite fishing hole, keep these tips in mind to make sure you have a responsible day on the water!

This is the most important thing to remember the next time you’re on the water! Make sure you dispose of bait, fishing line, and other materials properly. If you’re using lead weights and jigs, these must be disposed of at your local hazardous waste collection centre.

It’s important to make sure you’re only catching fish that are in season, and that also have a healthy population! Check with your region before you head out so you know what you can and can’t catch.

Did you know that different rods, tackle, and fishing line work best for different fish? That means you should only be fishing with the proper gear designed to catch the fish species that are in season. No matter when you fish, though, you should always try to use non-lead tackle.

Learn more about being a Shoreline Saver by accepting the Mission in the Earth Rangers App today!