BIOLINE TECHNOLOGY

Ecowise without compromise

Bioline is the product of 30 years experience in bioabsorbable materials within the medical industry. Its roots are found in the same technology as “dissolving” stitches. Like plasma screen televisions and computers, the initial release of the technology was accompanied by high costs. But as the use of bio-absorbable materials grew, the associated costs fell, finally reaching a point where consumer products are within reach.

WHAT ARE BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS?

A material is considered biodegradable if it meets the ASTM standard (American Standard for Testing Materials). The special polymer use for Bioline is categorized as a plastic in which the degradation results from microbial action as well as that of naturally occurring elements. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be used as conventional plastics, while on disposal or loss they decompose into water and carbon dioxide.  Bioline easily fulfils all ASTM requirements for biodegradability in both compost testing (where complete degradation occurs in around 6 months) and in aquatic environments, where complete degradation of the product occurs within 2 to 5 years, depending on water temperature. 

HISTORY OF BIOLINE’S BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER.

In the early 1970’s Art Glick from Davis & Geck, invented the first bioabsorbable filament for use as stitches. The filaments were introduced as expensive medical implants made from Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), which are polymers derived from corn. At over $5 a yard, the bioabsorbable filaments were very expensive to produce.

Bioline filaments or “biofilaments™”, use similar types of process and manufacturing techniques that some of the original absorbable stitches used. Through the advancement of technology and research, Bioline now offers a performance and 100% biodegradable fishing line.

When sealed in its original package, Bioline’s unique polymer structure has a shelf life of five years. Upon removal from the package and spooling on a reel, Bioline retains 100% of its strength and handling characteristics for a period of 10 to 12 months by virtue of its unique design and UV resistance. Put simply, anglers who change their line at the beginning of each fishing season will see zero degradation in performance. And while most anglers change their lines once or twice within each season, loss of strength is never an issue. 

THE BIOLINE DIFFERENCE.

The difference between Bioline and nylon monofilaments, fluorocarbon, Spectra® and Dyneema® fiber lines is found in what happens once it comes off the reel, whether lost due to breakage or discarded as garbage. In roughly five years, Bioline can be degraded by microbial action in the environment to a minimal quantity of carbon dioxide and water. Nylon monofilaments remain for 600 years, fluorocarbon longer, Spectra and Dyneema even longer. Bioline represents a 99% reduction in the active life of the line in the environment.

 

The problems with traditional lines in the environment extend well beyond being a nuisance and an eyesore. Direct ingestion, wildlife entanglement and destruction of corals have all been documented with respect to fishing lines. Given the life span of traditional materials, we have only continued to add to the problem over decades, with centuries to go before the natural decomposition of the first nylon lines ever lost is complete.

Bioline embraces the best of technology, delivering the performance and handling of nylon monofilament within the working life of the line, yet containing its overall lifespan within years rather than centuries. While angler ethics have dramatically altered how we handle fish and modern outboards have refined marine power, Bioline offers an intelligent alternative in fishing line for the future of habitats.

ADVANCEMENTS TOWARD THE FUTURE

Within our lifetimes we’ve born witness to the near destruction of fisheries, yet have also seen that change and growth is possible. Sport fisheries have also undergone immense change. Most prominently, the embraced concept of catch and release is relatively new. Within fish populations that cannot sustain directed harvest, it’s a proven tool for maintaining quality fishing. Tied to catch and release has been the expansion of artificial lures which are not taken as deeply by fish as natural bait and therefore reduce mortality associated with hook penetration. And even within natural bait fisheries, circle hook designs have sought to minimize mortality by focusing hook penetration on the outer portion of a fish’s mouth.

Given the advancements in angler ethics and stewardship, growth in the fishing line category has been surprising. Similar to the pasts of industry and agriculture, the category has focused on efficiency above all else. Dominated by nylon monofilament which stay active in the environments for roughly 600 years, fishing lines have only grown more lethal. Fluorocarbon’s active life far exceeds that of nylon, only to be outdone by Spectra® and Dyneema® fibers so common in braided superlines.

Virtually every yard of modern fishing line that has ever been lost is still out there; buried in sediment, hung up on snags or circling the ocean. Bioline, like catch and release does for fish, relieves the environment of its burden in five years or less. Bioline contains the effects of our actions within years, rather than generations.

While we fully support nylon monofilament recycling programs, we feel the 99% reduction in life span that Bioline provides over traditional monofilaments offers far greater reach and exponentially larger impact.

 

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