Derelict Gill Nets on the Green River

[trackster13]

hey everyone,

Saw these abandoned nets along the river near the powerlines on the Green River (actually behind the Annex Tavern) and was not surprised to find several pink salmon caught in two different nets I found. It's sad to see fish caught in abandoned gear and though it would be a much worse finding to find a wild chinook or coho in these nets, it's still a crime against the pinks despite the fact they may be a million strong coming through this river. I tried cutting and removing some of the nets with my small pocket knife but the tide was starting to come in and I couldn't remove as much as I'd hoped. Rest assure, I will continue to try and remove these nets before more salmon find their demise in derelict gear. State officials really need to place garbage cans along the river, I don't mind hauling out the trash I find but it would be much easier to clean up if there were garbage cans in the vicinity.

[leahcim_dahc]

The WDFW has a derelict gear report you can fill out online. Linky below...

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/derelict/derelict_gear.htm

Thanks for trying to remove it...just don't get yourself hurt in the process. With regards to trash cans...I have thought about placing one where I fish along the Puyallup River, but unfortunately, it would most likely become a victim itself. Either it will get destroyed or tossed in the river...I just carry a box of trash bags and fill them on my way out.

As a side note, I remember someone in these forums stating their wife or someone they knew recycled mono-filament line, if the gill net material is made out of that it might be a good idea to look them up and see how and where they recycled it. I would imagine just about any landfill that takes plastics would take it. Not sure though.

[Rich McVey]

[quote="leahcim_dahc"]The WDFW has a derelict gear report you can fill out online. Linky below...

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/derelict/derelict_gear.htm

Thanks for trying to remove it...just don't get yourself hurt in the process. With regards to trash cans...I have thought about placing one where I fish along the Puyallup River, but unfortunately, it would most likely become a victim itself. Either it will get destroyed or tossed in the river...I just carry a box of trash bags and fill them on my way out.

As a side note, I remember someone in these forums stating their wife or someone they knew recycled mono-filament line, if the gill net material is made out of that it might be a good idea to look them up and see how and where they recycled it. I would imagine just about any landfill that takes plastics would take it. Not sure though.[/quote]

Yup, Its a program through Berkley and Boat US. We have small containiers comming that get placed at the docks that are for mono and flouro collection. You might want to contact them directly about something as large as a net. When I change the line on a spool, I just put the used line in an envalope and mail it to them instead of the trash.

[Bodofish]

Please be very careful handling any derelict gear. It can cut your hands very easily when they're wet. After they've been in the scum for a while who knows what sort of pathogens they may have. A very good way to get fish poisoning, AKA blood poisoning. not something anybody wants to deal with.

I can tell you when I commercial fished we never left any gear out, it was way to expensive. We repaired it till our fingers bled. I don't think I need to go on a rant about derelict gear and derelict fishermen......... You all know how and why they get there. Perhaps the casino's should fund the cleanup.

[G-Man]

If the nets don't get removed in a timely manner, I suggest letting the local new in on the problem. Several years back this is what it took to get some nets removed near Fort Dent. Here is the page for the King 5 site to report "your" news. http://www.king5.com/interact/yournews.html

[trackster13]

thanks for the state link, I just filled out there full report form so hopefully they can get out there soon before the silvers start running thick....but not expecting the state to jump on it right away. If all else fails, I'll take G-Man's advice and hit up King 5 for some media pressure.