Degradable identification component

An apparatus comprising:

• a fishing implement having a boundary defining an enclosed space sufficient to house a targeted aquatic species;
• and
• a degradable identification component attached to said fishing implement;
• wherein said degradable identification component comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer;
• and
• wherein said degradable identification component degrades by weight at last twice as much when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are continuously submerged for six months than when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are actively fished for six months, wherein when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are actively fished for six months said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are temporarily removed from water being fished regularly or periodically within the six months.