Written by Bill Jennings, the New Zealand based chemist who has worked on developing the SLAM soft bait products. Article from magazine New Zealand Fishing Coast to Coast, issue 46 2008.

plastic or biodegradable?

There are essentially 2 types of soft bait lures, those made from plastic and those made from biodegradable materials.

Unlike soft plastic fishing lures, SLAM soft baits are biodegradable and they are decomposed in the environment by bacteria, and fish are also able to digest it.
SLAM soft baits have all the characteristics of soft plastics and the advantage of being biodegradable.

SLAM is developed in New Zealand and tested in Australia and New Zealand for our conditions.

What does biodegradable mean?

Biodegradation occurs when under the right conditions the bacteria in the environment can break down materials and use them as a food source. It is a process that can take place in many environments including soils, compost sites, water treatment facilities, marine environments and even in the human body.

During the biodegradation process carbon is converted into energy, water, carbon dioxide, biomass and mineral salts which maintains the life cycle. Any breakdown products released by the biodegradation are also expected to be non-toxic to the environment and redistributed through the carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles.

Methods of measuring biodegradation

Biodegradation can be measured in a number of ways. Various countries use slightly different test procedures and criteria for defining biodegradability.

In simple terms, the commonly accepted ASTM test specifies at least 90% of the material is converted to carbon dioxide, water and biomass by bacterial breakdown at the same rate as natural materials and occurs within 6 months.

Common examples of biodegradation

This is how long it may take for some commonly used products to biodegrade:

• Banana peel, 2 – 10 days
• Cotton rags, 1 – 5 months
• Paper, 2 – 5 months
• Orange peels, 6 months
• Rope, 3 – 14 months
• Wool socks, 1 – 5 years
• Plastic bags, 10 – 20 years
• Nylon fabric, 30 – 40 years
• Plastic six-pack holder rings, 450 years

Soft Plastics

Millions of soft plastic lures are sold every year.
A large number are lost in the water, but plastic lures do not biodegrade in the environment. Some are swallowed by fish or other wildlife, but animals cannot digest plastic lures and they pass unchanged back into the ocean.

Many of these plastic lures contain phthalates, which are added to the plastic to make it soft and flexible and these are potentially harmful chemicals.

Because soft plastics don''t degrade, they persist on the ocean bottom and inside fish. Their impact on rivers and lakes is a matter for debate. But the perception is growing that soft plastics are polluting the environment and probably damaging fisheries.
Some European governments have already banned soft plastic baits.

Biodegradable Softbaits

SLAM Soft Baits have been developed by Bitetime Baits in New Zealand as an extension of the Stimulate Ultrabite range.
Ultrabite is a patented pheromone which is scientifically and environmentally tested by CEFAS and is certified as being both environmentally and ecologically friendly.

Formulation development on the SLAM Soft Baits started in 2006 with the aim of producing a biodegradable lure based on natural ingredients and attractants and incorporating the patented Stimulate Ultrabite pheromones. Biodegradable materials in SLAM are environmentally friendly. The formulation is water based and allows the pheromone incorporated in the lure to permeate into the water to attract the fish.

Fish Bait Retailers:
New Zealander
Auckland || Northland || Coromandel || Waikato || Bay of Plenty || East Cape - Hawkes Bay || Taranaki - Taupo || Wellington || South Island

Distributers:
New Zealand, Australia, South Africa

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