The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) is a local effort to educate the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations, and to conduct volunteer monofilament line cleanup events.
Most fishing line that you can buy today is made of monofilament. It is a single-strand, strong, flexible plastic that is clear or tinted in a variety of colors. Most monofilament is non-biodegradable and can last many years depending on environmental conditions. Because it is thin and often clear, it is very difficult for fish, crustaceans, birds and animals to see and they can easily brush up against it and become entangled in it. Once entangled, they may become injured, drown, strangled, or even starve to death. Many animals also ingest fishing line. One recovered sea turtle was found to have consumed 590 feet of heavy-duty fishing line. Monofilament fishing line can also foul propellers and shafts, decreasing speed and increasing fuel consumption. It can even damage the gear case seals of an outboard motor causing expensive repairs.
Most of the fishing line that ends up in the water gets there when someone's hook gets snagged on something underwater and the line breaks when pulled. Sometimes the line will rub against a sharp shell (like an oyster shell) and will break. Large fish can sometimes pull hard enough to break lines. Fishing lines can sometimes get caught in trees and break off. Even fishing line that is thrown in the garbage can end up in the environment, either by blowing out of the garbage can or landfill or by being taken out by birds or animals.
How does the MRRP work? The monofilament is collected from recycling bins and cleaned of hooks, leaders, weights, and trash by volunteers. It is then shipped to the Berkley Pure Fishing Company, 1900 18th Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360-1041. Berkley melts the line down into raw plastic pellets that can be made into other plastic products including tackle boxes, spools for line, fish habitats, and toys. It is not made into more monofilament line.
Why can’t I just put it in my recycling bin at home? Fishing line is a high density plastic and requires a special recycling process. It cannot go into the most regular household recycling bins. Instead it can be brought to an |
| (Courtesy: MRRP) |