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[Rodney]

While doing our youth fishing camp today, a couple of swans with their baby came by like they usually do in Steveston. Watching the birds resting around the wetland while fishing in Steveston is one of the reasons that we enjoy doing this so much.

When the swans approached the pier, we noticed something on the baby's beak.





A thick mono line was sticking out of its mouth, the rest of the line was tangled up with some plants and weeds. Occassionally the line would be caught up with one of its legs while it swam. The line may possibly be caught up in its throat, or it may have swallowed a hook and the line can't be pulled out!

What angered us even more was, this line looked like some of the disgarded line we picked up from the pier a couple of weeks ago!

There is a trash can located 15 meters from the float dock where we fish.

In the past I've been very vocal about the proper way to dispose fishing line, and it saddens, frustrates and angers me that people can still be so ignorant and inconsiderate. How would you like to have a hook stuck in your throat? Because of someone's incapability of walking 15 meters to store the line away, some bird's life is messed up.

With so many important fishery issues hovering around, I find it pathetic that some of us are unable to even complete a task as simple as leaving no trace after fishing.

Anyways, after playing phone tags for 30 minutes or so, I was able to get a hold of DFO Steveston and they will be doing an evening patrol and hopefully they will encounter the bird and take care of what needs to be done.

Take your line home please.

[Geff_t]

I know what you mean rodney we usually come off the fraser with a grocery bag filled with line from other people. Alot of this line still has the hook attached. My wife always complains as well because of all the garbage that I stuff in the big back pocket of my vest then she is surprised when I tell her that it was not even mine.

[pepsitrev]

good work i also pick up all the junk i can carry out  its people like you and the others that make the river a nicer place to fish and enjoy the beauty around us.hope to see you at the next river cleanup. if you need info just email rod and he will be happy to set you in the right direction. cheers and tight lines to all

[halorail]

Garbage bags are just pert of my regular gear to clean up after the slobs that came before me. It make no difference to how remote the lake is I still find peoples garbage everyware.

[Trazdar]

I have been in Vancouver for less then a month and just started fishing here.  I'm enjoying myself quite a bit though I have been filling my pockets up full of fishing line when ever I go out!!!!  When you go to your fishing hole what you bring out should come back with you though that’s not what I have been seeing.  But that happens all over the place I know it not just here.  But we can still try to keep our province clean by picking up after our selves.

Happy Fishing

[Floater]

What if that line was from a snag underwater theres pretty much nothing someone can do about that unless they like to scubadive. Also people leave lines with hooks on them around i know if never done that what the heck is up with that?

[fishin for life]

I agree Rodney. Some people are pigs.   If you can bring it in with you , you can take it out with you.  I pack out all my leaders where ever I fish and more.  If you can bring in that drink container when it's full. Why can't you take it with you when it's empty.  I would like to know where some of these people live. Take the garbage to their house and leave it in their yard.   CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF PEOPLE!!!!!!!

[BwiBwi]

Ya your mommy doens't work at the fishing site

[Rodney]

We were back at it again today during incoming tide. When we arrived, we saw this.



That was a pleasant sight.

I then looked down on the floating dock, a braided line around 30 feet was tied to the railing.

I am also happy to let you all know that the young swan is now line free.



Either DFO Steveston was able to get it off last night during their patrol, or it simply came free. Hopefully it didn't actually swallow it. The bird appeared to be doing well.

This morning I was able to correspond with the DFO rec resource manager of Lower Fraser and she informed me that an information kiosk is already available for installation if needed. She has contacted the City of Richmond and once we get an OK, we should be able to have this up as it is needed during next month's pink salmon season.

BwiBwi, we'll discuss about signs etc soon. When crazy season is over.

[BwiBwi]

No problem, just let me know what's needed.

[jettabambino]

wow... we need to watch it people.....this aint good...

[Geff_t]

no this is not good. just remember everything we throw away ends up in the environment. It's to bad that fishing line could not be recycled like everything else. I mean just think how much line we all use through out the year how many hundreds of yards each. We should be able to bring it somewhere. If there is could some one please tell me and others then there is no excuse to throw it away.

[crack a dawn]

I went to  seabird the other day,,,,,,,and was disgusted with all the garbage everywhere.  I saw numerous spots where people have unloaded a whole spool and just left it in a mound.  What the @#$%??