a fishhook is described which disintegrates upon standing for prolonged periods of time in an aqueous environment such as within biological tissue . in one embodiment , the fishhook comprises a biodegradable polymeric hook - shaped structure with at least one metal tip affixed thereto providing a sharp piercing element . upon exposure to the chemical environment of the fish &# 39 ; s tissue the polymer biodegrades . in another embodiment , a substantially insoluble or non - biodegradable body portion of the hook has a separable point and barb portion affixed to the insoluble portion by means of a biodegradable adhesive . when the fishhook penetrates the fish &# 39 ; s tissue , the solvents and / or enzymes present in the tissue environment causes the adhesive to release the barb and / or the point of the fishhook and the fish may shed the disintegrated fragments . in yet another embodiment , the entire fishhook is fabricated from a biodegradable polymer such as polylactide or polyglycolide or a copolymer thereof .