Angler's fishing line tackled

Dorset’s anglers are leading the way on protecting wildlife.  A new scheme to collect and recycle fishing line has been adopted from Christchurch to West Bay. The Seaclean bins, brainchild of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Julie Hatcher, are placed at top angling spots along the coast to collect any old fishing line and prevent it from hurting wildlife.  Volunteers then collect the line for recycling.

Julie, the marine warden based at Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, had the idea after repeatedly finding wildlife suffering from the effects of discarded line.  She said, “Fishing line is one of the most hazardous types of marine litter and it doesn’t break down in the sea.  We have found animals from crabs to sharks to seagulls entangled in it.  We know anglers are keen to be environmentally friendly and they have really taken this scheme to heart.”

Seaclean bins can be found at the following locations in Dorset: Poole – Hamworthy Lake Pier, Baiter and Sandbanks, Kimmeridge, Swanage – pier and angling club/slipway, Weymouth – stone pier,  Christchurch – Mudeford Quay and Friars Cliff Beach,  West Bay – Jurassic Pier,  Bexington car park