Fishing Line Recycling Program Keeps Local Waters Tangle-free

In an effort to keep the Salmon River and local family fishing waters tangle free, the Salmon Region of Idaho Fish and Game and Salmon Valley Stewardship have launched the Reel In & Recycle program to promote the proper disposal of monofilament fishing line. Fishing line recycling bins are now stationed at 20 popular boat access and family fishing sites from North Fork to Jimmy Smith Lake. "Reel In & Recycle is dedicated to keeping our waterways clean and free of debris," said Fish and Game wildlife biologist Beth Waterbury. "Discarded fishing line accounts for many wildlife injuries and deaths from entanglement. This program will help reduce those tragic incidents while cleaning up our shorelines." Waterbury noted that monofilament fishing line, made of high-density nylon, can last up to 600 years in the environment. Salmon Valley Stewardship is a proud Reel In & Recycle partner. "This project is a perfect fit for our organization," said SVS executive director Gina Knudson. "Reel In & Recycle offers a community-based solution to help steward our beautiful rivers and lakes." SVS interns Anna Foust and Kristin Nesbit, both college biology majors, recently helped Idaho Fish and Game install recycling bins at Kids Creek Pond, the Lemhi Hole, and Island Park in Salmon. Idaho Fish and Game and SVS are seeking volunteers to adopt collection bins. Adoption would entail periodic collection of fishing line from bins and delivery of collected line to the Fish and Game office in Salmon. From there, fishing line will be packaged and shipped to Berkley Conservation Institute to be recycled into underwater fish habitat structures. "These recycling bins make safe disposal of fishing line more convenient and accessible to anglers," said Waterbury. "I urge everyone visiting our rivers, lakes, and ponds to utilize this new recycling program." Community members, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts interested in adopting one or more of the recycling bins are encouraged to contact Beth Waterbury or Toni Ruth at 208-756-2271, or Gina Knudson at 208-756-1686. For a list of boating access sites and family fishing waters with recycling bins, contact the Salmon Fish and Game office at 756-2271. Additional Reel In & Recycle program partners include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Program, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern Idaho Field Office, and BoatUS Foundation.