Georgia biologists study impacts of left-behind fish hooks on at-risk species

Thomas Floyd and wildlife technicians Kennedy Funa and Ashleigh Smith record water flow rates. (Matthew Pearson/WABE News)

In a shallow, shady, pebbly stream in North Georgia, Thomas Floyd trudges through waist-deep water. 

He reaches the middle of the stream and begins yanking a black milk crate out of the silt. 

“There are eight milk crates in this entire study. And within each milk crate, there are about 190 hooks,” he said.