BSU supports effort to protect marine life

Bonita Springs Utilities has joined forces with the City of Bonita Springs and the Imperial River Conservancy to keep our waterways clear of used fishing line. Most fishing line sold today is made of monofilament, single-strand, strong, flexible plastic or nylon that is clear or lightly tinted. Monofilament is nonbiodegradable and can last hundreds of years. The strength and invisibility that make the line good for fishing also can make it deadly for birds and animals that become entangled in it. The line can injure them or restrict their movement enough to cause drowning or starvation. Wildlife, including birds, turtles, manatee, fish and dolphin, also may swallow the indigestible fishing line.
Much of the fishing line that ends up in the water results from lines breaking when hooks snag underwater or in mangroves. Lines cut on sharp shells or broken by large fish add to the debris. Even fishing line thrown into the garbage may end up in the environment if it escapes the receptacle or is pulled out by wildlife.

The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program, a statewide effort launched with funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, educates the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment and encourages recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations. When Bonita Springs City Councilmember Richard Ferreira learned of the program, he asked Bonita Springs Utilities for help. The utility used PVC pipe and the skills of its employees to build 10 receptacles for used fishing line. The city is installing the receptacles at public boat ramps, and the Imperial River Conservancy has taken responsibility for emptying the receptacles and recycling the used line.

How can you help? Whenever possible, retrieve and properly dispose of any monofilament line you see. It is particularly important to remove monofilament from mangroves when it becomes tangled after miscasting. When you fish, be conscious of the age of your line and its strength. Keep track of and store loose pieces of fishing line, even short ends cut from leaders. Cut an X into the lid of a film or tennis ball canister, and poke the loose pieces through for later disposal. When boating, make it a rule not to throw any kind of plastic, especially monofilament line, overboard.
 
Deposit your used monofilament fishing line in one of the outdoor recycling bins at the Imperial River or Big Hickory boat ramps, Bay Water Rentals, Bonita Bay Marina and other locations throughout Bonita Springs.