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Sandy Hook Adopts Monofilament Recovery and Recycling
Program
Anglers at the Sandy Hook unit of Gateway National Recreation Area can
now do their part for the environment thanks to a grant from the Sandy
Hook Foundation that provides bins for recycling discarded fishing line.
Monofilament fishing line, another name for single-strand, high-density,
nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels and in the
manufacturing of fishing nets, is responsible for untold damage to
endangered marine wildlife such as birds, fish, manatees and sea
turtles, and poses a hazard to boaters and swimmers.
The project is part of the statewide Monofilament Recovery and Recycling
Program (MRRP), which aims to reduce environmental damage caused by
fishing line, which can last up to 600 years in the environment. As a
project partner, the National Park Service will maintain the recycling
bins located at F lot, the Ranger Station, Plum Island, and Horseshoe
Cove fishing beaches in the park, and help educate park visitors about
the damaging effects of monofilament left in the environment.
The MRRP program recycles the line into Fish-Habs, another name for
artificial, underwater, habitat structures that attract fish and
encourage plant growth.
For more information about the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling
Program, or to start an effort in your area, visit http://www.fishinglinerecycling.org/.
Photo by Jeff Gould
The endangered piping plover on the beach at Sandy
Hook, next to discarded monofilament line
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