Monofilament puts birds at high risk for danger. Brown Pelicans get hit very hard. So do great and snowy egrets and herons. Lines often tangle and trap the birds so it is important to dispose of line properly.
David Shafer frees monofilament from the mangroves.
David and Jennifer Shafer are volunteers for Sarasota Bay Watch. They also wrote the grant from the community foundation of Sarasota County Pitching For Projects Fund, which gave them the resources to host the cleanup.
Ann Reed, Patty Walton, Shantelle Schmidt, Carole Hoblock, Larry Hietbrink, Courtney Hoblock, Baloeri Ponzo, Joshua Ponzo and Karen Jensen cleaned up at Edwards Island.
National Audubon Society Regional Coordinator Ann Paul discusses the importance of the monofilament cleanup, how to free a tangled bird and what to do in case of an injured bird.
Peter Kosub, Clay Jordan, Zack Jordan, Samantha Jones, Yvonne Jordan and Larry Stults took a boat to Siesta Key to help clean up.
Audubon Society, Save Our Seabirds, Sarasota Bay Watch and many volunteers join together to clean up monofilament from the bay. Fishing line, hooks, weights and tackle that aren’t properly disposed of puts all sea birds at risk.
Jennifer Shafer frees monofilament from the mangroves.
Ann Paul says the proper way to dispose of fishing gear is not in the water or off the side of the boat. Almost every dock has one of these monofilament disposal units. It is best to cut the line in 1-foot lengths.
Rita Stonehouse, Linda Powers, Mark Rachall, Ann Paul, Rusty Chinnis, Andy Mele, Carol Cassels join the monofilament cleanup.
