Fishing line recycling containers: What really goes in there?

You’ve seen them at your favorite fishing spots, the white periscopes lurking near the piers or shorelines usually attached to a pole or upright on a pier. These are the monofilament recycling tubes used to reclaim fishing line to keep it from entangling or causing other harm to our marine animals.

But wait, you just said monofilament, right?

Yes, not all fishing lines are created equal! Actually, not all fishing lines are the same. Monofilament refers to plastic type single strand line. This includes fluorocarbon line. There is a different type of line also commonly used, called braid or braided line. This line looks and feels different. Braided line is not clear or tinted, you can feel the ridges and strands in it when you run it through your fingers. Monofilament and fluorocarbon are very smooth and feel a bit stretchy compared to braid which is very strong and not flexible.

But why the lesson on fishing line?

Well, there is no current recycling program for braided line. It is recommended that braided line is cut up into 12-inch sections and then placed in the garbage. The experts also ask to cut it up, so it does not become an entanglement issue for animals or equipment used in the solid waste facilities.

Monofilament recycling or collection is important for two reasons:

Mono has a 600-year breakdown life span

All fishing line left behind is a major contributor to bird, fish, and marine mammal entanglements.

Berkley is the only company at this moment that can recycle monofilament line. The line has to be hook and tackle free and clean for them to accept it. Please help us by removing your tackle from the line before placing it in our containers.

Recycling - Berkley® Fishing (berkley-fishing.com)

Captain Al

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful