Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials remind anglers how harmful fishing lines are to wildlife

Nov. 18, 2021Updated: Nov. 18, 2021 5:26 p.m.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reminds anglers about the dangers of fishing lines.

TPWD

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reminding anglers how harmful fishing line can be to wildlife. In a Facebook post, the agency showed a picture of an owl stuck dangling in a tree because of a fishing line caught on its wing.

“Discarded fishing line is harmful to wildlife,” TPWD stated in the post. “It takes 600 years for fishing line to disintegrate.”

TPWD noted most fishing lines can be recycled. It’s urging anglers to look for outdoor recycling containers near fishing spots or at tackle shops. If you’re unable to locate one near you, contact Texas Sea Grant at 979-845-3854.

It’s a painful struggle when an animal becomes entangled in a fishing line, as the Wildlife Center of Virginia notes. Victims typically suffer feather damage and lacerations from the constricting line as they fight to escape.

Entangled animals are often entrapped and are unable to move, find food, or escape from predators, according to the center. For bird parents, this affects the survival of their reliant chicks as well. The deadly entrapment often ultimately leads to exhaustion, starvation, and dehydration if the animal is unable to free itself.