By Michelle Byriel
Last summer, my husband and I were enjoying a beautiful day on the boat in Islamorada. While making our way through a very narrow mangrove cut, our boat hesitated and that’s when we saw a long line of monofilament glisten in the sun as it tighten yards in front of us over a head-high mangrove branch. We immediately stopped the boat and checked the propeller to find it wrapped in fishing line. Once the line was cut from the propeller, we continued to reel in almost a spools-worth of braided line from about 25 yards in front of us and an additional 25 plus yards behind us. While the line was recovered and the propeller was not damaged, this could have been a horrible situation for us, another boater or the local wildlife. And the worst part is that this situation could have easily been prevented.
Monofilament line has been used by anglers for decades, as it is made of a single durable plastic and is virtually invisible underwater. While this attribute is good for fishing, that’s where the positive ends. Every angler has had a line caught on a rock or snagged in a tree. It can be easy to accept the loss of a favorite lure and cut the line, but retrieval should always be attempted. Whether left hanging off a tree or snagged in a coral, discarded fishing line can threaten wildlife since it’s hard to avoid when unseen. It also takes years to break down so it is a looming danger.
Entanglement in or ingestion of fishing line, sometimes with attached hooks, is a gruesome, yet all too common cause of injury or death for sea turtles, marine mammals, fish and birds. Anglers should always be aware of the dangers of monofilament. Be sure to stow rods or loose lines securely and never discard used fishing line, or any other trash for that matter, into the water or along our coastlines.
When possible, switch out monofilament for a braided or even biodegradable line. If you come across discarded line, please help remove it from the environment. For proper disposal, monofilament recycling bins are now at many marinas or boat stores. If you can’t find one, make your own then be sure to cut up the line as small as possible before throwing it away.
Florida is the best fishing destination in the country and our economy thrives on it. Many locals take up the pastime and visitors come from states away to try to catch a prized gamefish. Each angler has their own style, preference in gear or bait and favorite spot. But the one thing all anglers, new and experienced, should have in common is personal stewardship. Before our line is cast and our lure sinks below the water’s surface, we must know the ethical responsibility we have to the habitat we are entering and the fish we may catch. All anglers should aim to return with everything they brought and, if they’re lucky, a legal limit fish in their cooler.
Encourage kids to learn the proper fishing skills by registering them for Florida Oceanographic’s annual Game Fish and Fish Games event on Sunday, March 16th or by signing them up for Saltwater Fishing 101 Summer Camp. Visit www.floridaocean.org for more information.
Michelle Byriel is an Education and Exhibit Specialist for the Florida Oceanographic Society. She can be contacted by phone at (772) 225-0505.