News Article

For: Week of September 2, 2002

By: Chris Verlinde, Extension Marine Agent

Santa Rosa County Extension Service

Telephone: 850/623-3868 or 939-1259, ext. 1360

Fishing Line Recycling in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties

A new recycling program is about to get off the ground in the 2 county area that will help keep fishing line out of area waterways.

Why is it important to keep discarded fishing (or monofilament) line out of our environment? Monofilament line is thin, nearly invisible, strong, and may stay in the environment for as long as 600 years! Monofilament line poses a significant threat to many types of wildlife. It is often difficult to see and birds, mammals, reptiles and fish can easily brush up against it and become entangled. Results of these encounters may lead to injury, disfigurement, drowning, strangulation, or starvation.

Discarded monofilament also impacts boats and humans; people can become tangled in or caught by a hook that may be hidden in discarded line. It can also be a hazard to scuba divers. Boat propellers are frequently fouled with monofilament line. Once entangled the prop may seize up. Line can also enter bilge pumps, water intake valves or wrap around the lower unit.

The recycling stations are made from 6” PVC, mounted on 4 x 4 pressure treated posts, and will be deployed at boat ramps, marinas, and fishing piers. Signs will alert anglers to the recycle efforts and provide quick and easy environmental education. Monofilament is collected from recycling bins and cleaned of hooks, leaders, weights, and trash by volunteers. It is then shipped to the Berkley Pure Fishing Company in Iowa. Berkley melts the line down into raw plastic pellets that can be made into other plastic products including tackle boxes, spools for line, fish habitats, and toys.

How can you become involved with this project?

Sponsors are needed for the recycling unit fund. A $75.00 tax deductible donation will sponsor one station, complete with instillation, and an engraved plaque with the name of the sponsor on the recycling station.

Groups and individuals are needed to “adopt a monofilament recycling station.” This would involve monitoring and long-term maintenance of the station. This is a great project for scouts, 4-H groups, school clubs, and service oriented organizations.

This project benefits residents of both Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties who enjoy wildlife. With the reduction in monofilament line found in nearby water bodies, there will be fewer incidents of birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals that are injured or killed by becoming entangled in discarded fishing line. Recycling monofilament line utilizes a normally discarded resource, and reduces additional energy and chemicals needed to produce new plastic materials.

If you spot wildlife entangled in monofilament, contact the Florida Marine Patrol at 1-888-404-FWCC or 1-888-404-3922.

For information on these and other environmental and marine issues, please contact Chris Verlinde at 623-3868 (for south county residents 939-1259, extension 1259). Chris Verlinde is Marine and Sea Grant Agent for Santa Rosa County.

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.