Biodegradable Bait Container Legislation?

[Mike Clifford]

I've been reading quite a few posts lately from people complaining about the overabundance of trash (especially bait containers) littering our waterways and lakes.

As one who has spent hundreds of hours scheduling and participating in "river clean-ups", I for one am tired of dealing with the indiscretions of those that choose deliberately to degrade our natural resources in this fashion.

What I'd like to know from the anglers here is this:

Would you be willing to pay a bit more for your bait (in a commercially provided container) if it was legislated that all of these must be biodegradable?
Keep in mind that if a certain percentage of stores would be willing to provide bait in bulk and you brought your own container, there should be a savings realized in that respect.

The reason I ask is because I'm currently speaking with IL legislators regarding exactly such a bill, but of course if the majority of anglers don't support this sort of thing, it will be a tough climb....

What say you?
Would you support this measure?

[Raptor]

On the surface, it sounds like a great idea and worthy of support.

A greater anaylsis just makes it seem like more of the same liberal thinking that is ruining this country. -Punish the masses for the actions of the irresposible few. No personal responsibility needed, a government program (mandate) will intervene.

I would support it, but then I'd have to throw it on top of my resentment pile that will eventually make me go Travis Bickle.

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[Mike Clifford]

I completely understand the reasoning behind that concept, Raptor.

But there are some things that just need to be nipped in the bud once and for all.
When I think of government legislating things, usually the issue of seat belts comes to mind. Whether the guy driving next to me is wearing one has no bearing on my safety (especially since I'm always wearing mine anyway).
Perhaps our insurance rates would be higher if it wasn't a law, but that's getting off track a bit.

I sat down at a restaurant on the river not long ago with the very same Senator I'm discussing this matter with and described a thousand different reasons why banning the use of lead by anglers was not a good idea in IL, and why it would never pass.
We came to an understanding that an educational approach would best serve that particular purpose, and the restrictive proposal in the bill was withdrawn.
That, in my opinion, was a superfluous type of legislation that would have carried with it dire results for tackle manufactures and beyond.

Which brings us to this matter.

Everyone remembers the old "Keep America Beautiful" campaign.
The crying Indian.
Trash everywhere.
Pulling at our heartstrings.

This was established entirely by industry to make the statement "People cause pollution, people can prevent it".
Well, those people are you and me....not the ones that are the actual cause of the problem.
Industry doesn't want to bear the burden of the indiscretions of society.

This measure wouldn't even be nearly on the same scale as the so-called "bottle bills", which require a deposit on non-biodegradable beverage containers.
That is what the campaign above was created to prevent.

All we are talking about here is eliminating the bait containers by allowing nature to run it's course.

Or....we can continue to bear the burden of others and dispense our own sweat to reverse the harmful effects so that our right to a healthful environment is maintained. Meanwhile, all those trash bags from clean-ups continue to add to our landfills.
That's more along the lines of liberal thinking when you break it down.
Some are allowed to do whatever makes them comfortable while the rest of us pay the price one way or another.

Can you see where this just makes sense any way you turn it around and examine it?

What I do know is that I not only never want to see another styrofoam or plastic bait container littering our shores, I sure as hell have better things to do than clean them up.....like enjoying the resource like every other responsible and ethical angler.
Faced with that realization, my choice is easy.

Eliminate them.

[pswitzer]

Faced with that realization, my choice is easy.

Eliminate them.

The bucketheads? That's kind of harsh Mike!

[Mike Clifford]

HA!


Easy now, Paul.
We don't want to see this get crazy while we're still on the first page.....

[pswitzer]

Mike,
All kidding aside, I would rather pay a little extra for the biodegradable containers. It is kinda sad that it comes to this but we all know how disgusting that people can be. Keep us updated. Paul

[Raptor]

Very good synopsis Mike, and yes, I understand that all things considered, it would probably be a wise course.

I would support it,...

I just shouldn't be held responsible when I climb the clocktower and take some MFer's out...

The worms made me do it!

[Mike Clifford]

I just shouldn't be held responsible when I climb the clocktower and take some MFer's out...

The worms made me do it!

Anton Chigurh: And you know what's going to happen now. You should admit your situation. There would be more dignity in it.
Carson Wells: You go to hell.
Anton Chigurh: Let me ask you something. If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?
Carson Wells: Do you have any idea how crazy you are?
Anton Chigurh: You mean the nature of this conversation?
Carson Wells: I mean the nature of you.

[Bossofbeefbowl]

My only issue with this is worm containers make up only 1/5 at best of all the trash I find sitting on the shore of the ponds and lakes I fish at.Most of the time it's water bottles,cigarette butts,beer cans and everything else imaginable.I'm for it if it get's rid of one of those things but it doesn't solve the problem,the morons littering.

[CHIDJM]

I'm all for this. It may a little bit liberal minded of me, but I think that biodegradable items are almost always better then synthetics.

For the price of a few cents over what we're paying now, we remove the litter that litterbugs leave behind, and we prevent a permanent item from residing in our landfills until the end of eternity. I'd support this bill.

Plus, I loathe looking at these things while fishing.

[jjbrob]

I too agree with the biodegradable container. People should be using them. They don't because it costs a little more...but that cost would be placed on the consumer. You can always bring your own bucket...bait canteens are great for this!

I, along with Mike and others have done a lot of river clean-ups. We both understand that the litter from bait containers is minimal compared to all the other trash. It's an eye sore for many, and work for others to pick them up. Many people are not happy with the litter bugs, and that's understandable. But with biodegradeable containers we are teaching many people in the industry...we are teaching many youngsters greener methods of business, and we are teaching many people that our resources are important to protect. The law may be small but it's one more educational step in the right direction. It takes many, many, many, small steps for the environment to improve. Don't think of this as the government butting in...think of this as an important educational tool...that's the point.

I also can look at it like this....that's one less item that I need to pick up. River clean-ups are a lot of work! Picking the stuff up is one thing...the hard part is hauling it out to the dumpster location...sometimes it's very far to walk it all the way back to the drop off site but it needs to be done.

Helping the environment takes a lot of people to care to do the right thing. Please help us support this. I for one have become more involved with conservation issues because the fishing IS getting better each year. I like the being able to catch fish at a higher hour per fish ratio...it's also good for the kids when they catch more fish. I think many of us have observed that the fishing is getting better...it's because there are a lot of people working hard at it.

[k3flyguy]

I would suport the biodegradable idea, seems like paying a few cents more would be worth it. Those folks leaving their trash are not fishermen buy rather lowlifes looking for a quick fix from the river for their boring and unfullfilling life. It seems like the trash never stops, and those worm containers are like mushrooms in the springtime... they just pop up everywhere. Tight lines everyone!!

[RiverRat242]

I'm all for it, great thinking Mike I usually don't keep bait in the containers they come in anyway, as they seem to live longer and are healthier when I put them in my own bedding and containers.

As far as this being a "libahruls dun trying ta control mah life" thing - everyone is always complaining about how they don't see CPO's doing enough or writing enough tickets for littering, but isn't that an even a better example of a socialist nightmare, cops writing tickets to keep the enviroment clean? You aren't going to stop people from littering, but at least its an idea that minimizes the impact of the stupid things stupid people do.

[Fishing Fool]

I agree that bait containers make up a small % of the litter. If the containers are biodegradable than that will have a better impact on the environment in general. I don't think we want people saying, oh this biodegradable...I can throw it on the ground and it won't matter.

I have a better idea for legislation:

Lets transplant the Cameras at street intersections to forest preserves. Picutures can be taken of litterbugs and people not following creel. Huge fines and the money can go back into the fishries...or probably just camera maintence and labor. At least we won't have to watch or backs as much while driving.

[fishing2112]

A+ idea. I fully support it. It is irritating seeing those things all over the place.