Sarasota County officials urge proper disposal of fishing line and tackle

The recent death of a bottlenose dolphin discovered in Venice Inlet has prompted county officials and wildlife experts to remind fishing enthusiasts that improperly disposed of monofilament fishing line tackle can be fatal. The 500-pound female dolphin was discovered tangled in fishing line and is suspected to have died from ingesting fishing gear.

Proper disposal of monofilament fishing line and tackle is included in the education component of the Sarasota County Manatee Protection Plan. Since the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) began in 2006, there have been over 60 monofilament recycling bins installed at key water access points such as boats ramps, parks, canoe launches, fishing piers and other locations frequented by fishermen throughout Sarasota County.

Monofilament bin locations include:

• Ken Thompson Park
• Turtle Beach Park
• South Jetty Park
• Indian Mound Park Boat Ramp
• Venice Pier

Discarded monofilament is a threat to birds, turtles, manatees, fish, dolphins and other marine life, and also poses a risk to divers and swimmers. Most monofilament fishing line is nonbiodegradable and can last 600 years in the environment. Once entangled, animals have limited mobility and may drown, become strangled or maimed, or can starve to death. Many animals also ingest fishing line during normal feeding activities.

Fishing line should be cut into small portions and placed in a sealed container or garbage bag. Fishing line thrown in a garbage bin can end up in the environment from winds blowing it out of the receptacle, or can be pulled out by animals searching for food.

For more information about the MRRP, to request a bin, or to become a volunteer and adopt a bin, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net.