Monofilament Line Recycling Program in Chambers and Jefferson Counties

In support of the Administrative Priority to Target Outreach and Expansion the Monofilament Line Recycling Program was planned implemented in Chambers and Jefferson Counties. The target audience was local fishermen.

Fishing is popular in the coastal counties of Chambers and Jefferson and from time to time the fishing line will break and need to be discarded. Improperly discarded fishing line can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. Even though fishing line has been discarded in the garbage, it can still end up in the environment due to the coastal wind and birds use of the line as nesting material. Fishing line is both a pollutant and a potential hazard for fish, birds, and wildlife. Therefore, a monofilament line recycling program was established in Chambers and Jefferson Counties.

Such a recycling program has been successful in other coastal counties. Therefore, the project was initiated in the fall of 2009 in Chambers and Jefferson Counties. Collection containers have been constructed by volunteers and included branding for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Sea Grant Program in Texas. News releases and signs have been created to notify the fishing public about the recycling project. Containers will be emptied by the Coastal and Marine Sciences Agent and/or volunteers and contents sent to a local recycling center. Final results will be a cleaner fishing area and reduced entanglement problems for fish, birds, and wildlife.

As of November 2009, six outdoor recycling bins have been placed in Jefferson County and six outdoor recycling bins have been placed in Chambers County at public boat ramps. Inside collection bins are also located at the County Extension Offices in these two counties. A total of 3 news releases and 1 television spot have been used to promote the program. Also, announcement of this program was made at other Extension educational activities. Over 2 pounds of line and a 600 foot gill net have been collected in late 2009.

This program will continue into 2010. More bins will be placed throughout the counties as volunteers and locations become available. Local sporting goods stores will be recruited to participate in the program as well.

This program will continue to address key environmental and recycling issues and reach out to the fishermen audience.