INNISFAIL – The Innisfail Fish and Game Association is stepping up in a novel way to help the environment, waterfowl and wildlife.
The local club recently introduced a new fishing line recycling program. It is only the second of its kind in Canada and the first one in Western Canada.
The program aims to keep Central Alberta’s shorelines and waterways clean, help the environment and help prevent waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, along with other wildlife from ingesting or being entangled in discarded fishing lines found in several of Alberta’s lakes and rivers today.
“It’s just to help keep fishing lines out of our waterways and away from our fish and wildlife,” said Mark Cochrane, environment and fishing chair of the association.
"This is a project started by the Boy Scouts of America down in the States,” added Bob Leney, president of the association. “I (saw) an article and read about it. I thought it was a really good idea so I brought it to the club and everybody supports it.”
The project uses a monofilament recycling bin, made of PVC pipe that is attached to a wooden stake and placed in the ground.
Alberta Parks and Environment approved the program in early July.
The club installed 10 fishing line recycling bins around Central Alberta on July 14, including around Gleniffer Lake, Dickson Trout Pond, and along the Red Deer River, just south of the Dickson Dam.
They have enough material for another 20 recycling bins, noted Leney, adding the project was completely funded by the association, with help from Scott Irrigation in Red Deer, a local business that donated all of the PCV pipe for the project.
Cochrane said such a project is needed in Alberta.
“I think it’s an issue. Just with the amount of sportsmen and fishermen we have in Alberta, it definitely becomes an issue,” he said. “Even if we can do a little part and keep some of that out of our waterways.”
Recycling a tangled fishing line is a simple step with a huge benefit, Cochrane added.
“(Anglers) deposit the line in the recycling bin and we’ll come along on a regular basis and collect it.
“When we collect the line, we’re going to box it up and ship it back to Berkley, the maker of the fishing line,” added Leney. “They have a facility where they recycle it (to make new fishing line).
The club will be providing feedback this summer to Alberta Parks and Environment on the success of the program.
“They’ve asked to have the exact locations where we implemented them and they’ve asked for some feedback on the results of what we’ve collected, how often they’re being used and where they are being used the most,” said Cochrane.
They hope to see the project expand in Alberta.
"Hopefully it’s just a first step in great things to come,” said Cochrane. “People (will) see us starting it and hopefully it will continue on beyond Innisfail Fish and Game (Association).”
For more information or if there are any additional areas in Central Alberta where a fishing line recycling bin could be installed, contact the Innisfail Fish and Game Association at [email protected]
