The first fishing line recycling receptacle is up at the boat launch in Strathcona Island park. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

‘Entanglement hazard’: angler wants to see waste fishing line recycled

Apr 10, 2023 | 3:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A local angler is angling to keep the banks of the South Saskatchewan River clean this fishing season.

After noticing that when the river level drops discarded fishing line along the banks is exposed. Tom James wanted to make it easier for people to be custodians of the environment while fishing.

“So waste fishing line is probably the number one entanglement hazard for wildlife. It’s an eyesore,” James says. “It is dangerous to wildlife as I just said. There’s plenty of wildlife around these areas as well. There’s rabbits, raccoons there’s some coyotes as well in Police Point Park. So we just want to sort of take care of the environment, look after the wild animals if we can.”

After getting support from the city’s parks and rec department, James reached out to Clear Your Gear. They provide PVC pipe fishing line recycling receptacles across Canada.

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One is up at the boat launch in Strathcona Island Park and others will be placed in Police Point Park along the river at the highway bridge, Connaught Pond and Echo Dale.

James says the receptacles will be emptied each month and the fishing line inside sent away for recycling.

Right now James says it’s just him and one other volunteer putting up the receptacles. If you want to help he says to contact him through the Medicine Hat and Area Sport Fishing group on Facebook. He’s an administrator and that it’s a great resource for all things fishing in the area.

“If you’re new to angling or if you just want some information about the fishing opportunities in the city, there’s loads of people on there that are willing to help,” he says.

James says Princess Auto helped him out with clamps and Maple Avenue Ace Hardware helped him out with supplies for the signs.