Volunteers rescue three birds at Monofilament Cleanup

Volunteers collected more than just trash Saturday, Oct. 5, at the fifth annual Sarasota Bay Watch Monofilament Cleanup.

For the first time, volunteers rescued three entangled birds that they delivered to Save Our Seabirds, where they are expected to make a full recovery. They also discovered four dead birds.

Sixty volunteers retrieved approximately 800 pounds of trash and fishing line from Cortez to Roberts Bay at the event.

The fishing line will be weighed, measured and mapped with the help of Mote Marine Laboratory interns. The line will be recycled, and the data will be shared with scientists in the Florida Entanglement Working Group.

In November, Sarasota Bay Watch will partner with Plymouth Harbor for the second Coon Key Cleanup.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].