Latest news with #fishingline
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sinister threat hiding among pelicans reveals 'horrendous' Aussie problem
A conservationist has urged Australian anglers to clean up after themselves by the water's edge, after pulling a "horrendous" amount of fishing line out of the ocean at a popular wharf. The line was retrieved just metres from where a group of pelicans gathered, and could have caused life-threatening injuries, or even death. Belinda Gales runs the Mudgeroo Wombat and Wildlife Refuge charity on the NSW South Coast. She said she collected a disturbing amount of line from Greenwell Point late last month — something that's becoming more and more frequent. "It was just horrendous — hooks galore and left around pylons after the recent storms. So much waste and fishing line in our oceans and bays," Belinda wrote online. Images show several big clumps of tangled line, fish hooks and bait that were left discarded at the bay." Speaking to Yahoo News, Belinda encouraged Aussies to do better. "All marine wildlife, pelagic and coastal seabirds, endangered sea turtles and marine mammals are in danger of being fatally injured as a result of becoming entangled in fishing line," she said. "Please adopt measures to reduce the often fatal impact of fishing gear." Crucially, Belinda said it's paramount that fishers do not cut fishing line. Birds, especially seabirds like pelicans, can become entangled in the line, leading to injuries, amputations, starvation, and death. Marine animals like turtles, fish, and seals can also ingest or get caught in discarded line. Because fishing line is thin, strong, and doesn't break down easily, it's especially dangerous — even a small piece can cause life-threatening damage. Responsible disposal protects these animals and helps keep ecosystems healthy. Sad find in river highlights 'urgent' Aussie crisis Calls for major change after 'devastating' find among bones Aussie snorkeller spots devastating detail on dolphins "Around the coast, beaches and bays, please remember to avoid abandoning gear, use barbless hooks and always properly dispose of fishing line," Belinda said. "Inspect gear regularly to avoid unwanted line breaks, recycle fishing line and stash your trash. Change your fishing location if marine turtles, sea birds or marine mammals show interest in your bait or catch." It's the latest example in a long list of similar cases where fishing line, and plastic pollution in general have had devastating consequences on our wildlife. This year, Yahoo has reported on numerous examples. In February, a platypus turned up dead in NSW as a result of entanglement in fishing gear. Also that month, heartbreaking footage showed a dolphin with a line tightly wrapped around its tail, cutting deep into its flesh. Volunteers in South Australia earlier captured photos of a bird's nest made using wire left from past farming ventures, and in March, a turtle carcass was found with a "belly full of plastic" in the country's far north. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
CHP officers, firefighters help free great blue heron that got caught in fishing line
SACRAMENTO COUNTY – First responders jumped into action to rescue a bird that had apparently gotten stuck in a tree due a tangled fishing line. California Highway Patrol's East Sacramento division said on Tuesday that a concerned citizen flagged down one of their officers along the Citrus Bike Trail along Highway 50. Officers and firefighters working together to free the bird. CHP East Sacramento The citizen saw a great blue heron stuck in a tree. The bird was hanging by its wing, which was tangled in a fishing line. One officer managed to use a large stick to help guide the bird onto a branch where it could rest. A crew from Metro Fire of Sacramento then responded to the scene and pulled out a pole saw to cut the bird free. No other information was available on the condition of the bird.
