The adults at one of our nests had a narrow escape with a fishing hook and line. About a week ago, one of them was eating a fish on the crossbar. This is nothing unusual. However in this case the fish had hook with a long piece fishing line dangling from it. The Osprey slowly consumed that fish over the next hour. Fortunately, the hook and line dislodged from the fish and fell to the ground. The story ended happily with a satiated Osprey and no injury from the hook and fishing line.
With the above in mind, incorrectly discarded fish hooks, fishing line and tackle (e.g. lures) can endanger Ospreys (both adults and chicks) through choking and entanglement. This includes discarded fish with attached or ingested fishing line and tackle.
Discarded fishing line and tackle placed in a bin removes the risk of our Ospreys becoming entangled and injured. We appreciate all the responsible fisher people out there who correctly dispose of fish hooks, fishing line and tackle. Thank you.
