Angling ...

Monofilament Recovery -
Turning Old Fishing Line Into Something New ...

Did you know that monofilament line remains in the marine environment for approximately 600 years? Discarded monofilament line is hazardous to everyone and everything. Monofilament entangled wildlife can lead to injury or death. Monofilament entangled props can lead to costly repairs. Many communities Statewide are starting monofilament recycling programs aimed at encouraging safe disposal of monofilament line. In Charlotte County, Florida Sea Grant Extension is working with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 87, the Charlotte County Coastal Conservation Association, and the 4-H Marine Ecology Club to provide monofilament recycling bins in publicly accessible places.

Recycling bins, which are constructed of PVC pipe, are currently located at several County locations. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 87 has implemented recycling at the Tom Adam’s Bridge fishing pier, Ainger Creek boat ramp, Cedar Point Environmental Park, Royal Palm Marina, Oyster Creek Mobile Home Park, Eldred’s Marina, Gasparilla Marina, Stump Pass Marina, Marine Dynamics, El Jobean Fishing Pier, Manasota Beach Park, and Indian Mound Park. The Charlotte County Coastal Conservation Association and the 4-H Marine Ecology Club have sponsored recycling bins at Ponce de Leon Park, Laishley Park, Spring Lake Park, Bayshore Park and Port Charlotte Beach Complex. Indoor recycling boxes are also located at the Englewood Bait House, Fishin' Franks, Laishley Ships Store, and at Captain Ted’s Tackle. Bin sponsors agree to maintain the bins, by removing monofilament line on a regular basis. These bins are provided as a service to the community. Your help in assuring only monofilament line is placed in the bins is greatly appreciated!

Monofilament line retrieved from the bins is sent to Pure Fishing in Iowa who melts the line it into small pellets, which are in turn used to make fishing related products such as tackle boxes, spools for new monofilament line, and freshwater artificial fish habitats.

For more information about monofilament recycling County wide please contact Florida Sea Grant-Charlotte County Extension (941) 764-4346. Additional information about Flotilla 87’s recycling efforts is available on their website at www.uscgaux.org/~0700807.

Additional information about monofilament recycling can be found by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at http://myfwc.com/mrrp/aboutmrrp.htm.

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