The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
We in Saskatchewan have some great fishing. Our lakes, streams and rivers contain a variety of fish that attract anglers from all over the world who are looking for a unique fishing experience and who are also looking to spend some time in areas that are still close to nature. But one of the things that can spoil a good day's fishing is finding litter or garbage along the water's edge. "I can't understand why some people insist on leaving a mess behind them," says Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer Lindsey Leko. "We are constantly finding empty plastic bait containers, pop cans, beer bottles, lure wrappers and various candy bar wrappers and chip bags. The plastic six-pack ring, which makes it easy to carry cans can become a deadly noose for a fish or an animal. Discarded monofilament fishing line can get tangled in boat motors, destroying oil seals and damaging the motor. But perhaps what is worse is that some animals and fish can get tangled in the line or will even eat it and the lines cuts their insides. Either situation leads to a slow death by starvation." Environment's Leko asks that people pick up and pack out their garbage. He also says it's a good idea to try to retrieve line or lures that have become tangled in trees. Some animals will try to eat the lures and get severely injured. If a fish is cleaned on shore a disposal site should be used to get rid of the entrails. If a site is not available it's a good idea to take them to the nearest one. If the fish are cleaned in remote areas the entrails may be left on shore but only if the location is far from people. Scavengers such as gulls, ravens and bears are attracted to them and bears have the potential to be dangerous. Environment's Leko says another kind of litter actually poses a hazard to people. Some people like to drink when they fish on shore or in a boat but it is illegal to do so. "The fine for someone caught consuming liquor in a public place is $130. Besides being dangerous for the operator, any passengers and others on the water it is a criminal code offence to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the penalties are the same as operating a car or truck," says Leko. "What also concerns me is that some people throw cans or bottles into the water, littering the bottom. Sometimes we find broken bottles on the shore. This poses a danger to people walking on the shore especially children who are often not as attentive as an adult. I would hate to have a fun day fishing spoiled by a badly cut foot." Littering is something that is not limited to the areas around waterbodies. Some people choose to take their waste to a secluded area in the forest or the prairie, or near a waterbody and dump it. Sometimes they even drive to the landfill site and, if they find the gate is closed, dump the waste outside the gate. While they may see dumping their waste as an effective method of getting rid of it they leave an unsightly trail of litter behind them. Not only is littering illegal, it spoils the natural beauty of our province and has an environmental cost. "Littering is not only unsightly it can be hazardous to birds, animals and fish," says Environment's Leko. "Waste dumped in a coulee can contaminate water running through it. One litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of water. Yard waste may contain plants or plant seeds that are suitable for a garden but have the potential to become aggressive invasive species and may eventually push out native plants. Piles of branches, leaves and trees will eventually degrade, however until they do they are a fire hazard and may even make it easier for a fire to get going." Environment's Leko says if you see someone littering you can call the local Saskatchewan Environment office or 1-800-667-7561.
