I'm not in the UK, but I bring up more than my share of tackle from dives in
S. Florida.  It may be different in areas where sinking lures are more
common, but I rarely bring up anything of any real value.  I supplement my
supply of lead sinkers, but generally, I bring stuff up to get it off the
reef rather than to supplement my income.  Most of my recoveries are
monofilament line and/or wire leaders.  I cut off and keep any sinkers, but,
whenever possible, leave hooks on the bottom.  They're a problem in a mesh
bag and on the boat and, over time, will either become encrusted or rust
away.

Lee

You better be doing pretty good as you are diving in a pesticide and
fertilizer filled muck hole.

No thank you.

Nearly all of it is complete crap that only serves to entangle you at
the worst possible moment (like when chasing down a lobster). I really
dread those plastic coated, multi-strand wire, "Xmas tree" rigs that
idiot (and/or newbie) fishermen promptly get hung up on wrecks. Forget
about a knife, you need a pair of 6" lineman pliers to cut that stuff.

Well, I reckon you ought to post this on uk.rec.scuba (or whatever it
is) as most of the Brits tend to hang there, as opposed to here
(rec.scuba).

It's sort of like a private country club vs a Hell's Angel biker bar.
--
SJM