You’ve probably heard of ghost fishing gear, especially following the release of Seaspiracy earlier this year. Whilst it can seem like an overwhelming problem, it’s one that can be tackled through combined efforts at the local, national and international level. Inspired by his late fiancé and conservationist Niamh, Drew Taylor has taken a bold move to petition the UK Government to play their part in reducing the destruction caused by ghost fishing gear. After seeing positive change in his local area, Drew sees a national roll out of line recycling stations as a key step in working towards protecting our oceans.

Words by Drew Taylor

What’s the issue with ghost fishing gear?

Every year around 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear such as lines, nets and pots is lost or discarded into the oceans. This then becomes known as ‘ghost gear’ because of its ability to continue killing wildlife long after the fishing boats have left it behind (Greenpeace, 2019).

The impact is devastating. Sea Shepherd estimates over 150,000 seals and whales are killed by ghost nets every year globally. Furthermore, the 2020 report from WWF found 66% of marine mammals, 50% of seabirds, and all 7 species of marine turtles were affected by entanglement or ingestion of plastic debris – truly shocking statistics. 

Unfortunately, these issues are not limited to only marine life. I have had to rescue animals caught in fishing line at my local lake too.

Why tackle fishing line in particular?

Fishing line is a high density plastic and it requires a special recycling process. Monofilament line (the most popular kind of fishing line) is a strong, flexible plastic that is made in a single strand but it takes 600 years to degrade. It’s not all bad news though, as it can be used again! The Anglers’ National Line Recycling Scheme send their collected line to ReWorked where it can be transformed into various products such as traffic cones, sun glasses, skateboards, wetsuits and even swimwear. 

Schemes like ANLRS are helping to make the recycling of fishing lines a reality but if successful this petition would add legislative weight and government funding and help make recycling a ‘normal’ part of angling. I hope you add your name to the petition, and help to create a kinder future. It is time we all take responsibility for the harm we are doing to the environment and wildlife, and start making ecosystems safe again.

The petition calls on the government to:

1. Require that material on fishing line recycling is provided whenever someone buys an EA fishing licence.

2. Provide funding for fishing line recycling bins in local parks and other open access fisheries such as canals, rivers and sea venues. Anywhere someone can fish, there should be a recycling bin.

3. Provide funding for recycling schemes, like the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme (ANLRS), so these can be expanded to assist in the recycling of line, nets and all plastics collected both in freshwater and marine environments.

Sign the petition today: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/573619

Alternatively, you can email your MP to express your support of line recycling schemes.

I am doing this to honour my beautiful late fiancée Niamh for always being a voice for human, animal, and environmental rights. Compassionate, and determined, Niamh made the world a better place. My life will never be the same without Niamh but I want to try and make a difference in her memory.

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