SCDNR - News Release
October 28, 2005
(843)
953-9809
South Carolina Monofilament Recycling Program
Question: What is monofilament?
Answer: Monofilament is fishing line. Monofilament is typically a single strand, strong, flexible plastic that is clear or tinted blue, pink, or green.
Question: Why should we recycle monofilament?
Answer: Monofilament is harmful to wildlife and a nuisance to boaters. By recycling monofilament we are able to keep it out of our landfills.
Question: What types of animals are harmed by monofilament?
Answer: Many types of animals including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, birds, and fish are injured or killed when they become entangled in monofilament. Between 1995 - 2000 approximately 35 dolphins in the southeast US died from monofilament related injuries. From 1996 – 2000, the Florida Marine Research Institute documented 163 turtles that were entangled in fishing line. During 1999 – 2000 over 250 seabirds were rescued in Florida due to hook and line entanglements.
Question: What happens to the recycled monofilament?
Answer: The monofilament is sent in pre-paid boxes to
Berkley®, one of the major manufacturers of monofilament. The monofilament is then melted down into raw plastic pellets, which are used to create artificial fish habitats, tackle boxes, toys, and spools for fishing line.
Question: What can we do to help?
Answer: SCDNR is currently looking for volunteers to sponsor a monofilament recycling bin. There is no cost to be a sponsor. Sponsors will:
- Find a suitable location for a monofilament recycling bin
- Check the bin regularly and remove any monofilament
- Record data about recycled monofilament
- Send monofilament in pre-paid boxes to Berkley®
For more information please contact Jeff Mollenhauer at (843) 953-9809.
The SC Monofilament Recycling Program News Release is available in the Adobe Acrobat PDF file format. You must have or download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this publication.
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