First Annual Monofilament Cleanup
Methods and Materials
Methods:
Improperly discarded monofilament fishing line poses a great risk to fish, marine mammals, birds and even humans. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists have identified monofilament fishing line as the number one killer of adult brown pelicans. Hundreds, and probably thousands, of birds die annually in Florida as a result of becoming entangled or hooked in fishing line. Fishing line in the water column can also affect fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals.

Sarasota Bay and the Gulf coast contain some of the most important bird colonies in the state of Florida. Audubon of Florida Coastal Island Sanctuaries directly protects or assists in the protection of more than 50,000 breeding pairs of 25 species of birds, many of which are endangered, threatened or a species of special concern. Most of these bird nesting islands are closed to public access seasonally or throughout the year. Today is your opportunity to walk these islands in search of fishing line.

Birds are typically hooked at popular fishing spots, either by accident or from attacking the bait. Rather than deal with an erratic bird, many anglers cut the line, allowing the bird to fly off in what appears to be a harmless release. These birds fly back to their nesting islands, trailing line that becomes entangled in trees. Fishermen near islands may snag their fishing line on mangroves and cut the line. Either way, the line is usually above the water in the mangroves at the same level birds might roost.

Concentrate on bare areas, or branches with lots of bird droppings. Travel around the perimeter of the islands very slowly. Some spider webs may be confused for line, but it is always best to check! When you do find a piece of line you might find that it is a lot longer than you originally thought. Try to trace the line to one end or the other and make sure you retrieve the entire piece and any accompanying tackle. If the line is attached to a bone, you can count it as a dead bird with line, but make a note it was only a bone. Collect any bird bands that you find (small metal or plastic bands usually around a bird’s legs) as this provides valuable information for ongoing bird research. You may also enter the bird island on the 17th and search for fishing line on the interior of the island.

Remember to follow all posted speed and motor zones. If one of your islands is in a combustion motor exclusion zone and you do not have a trolling motor, please use a push pole to clean the island. We invite you to pick up ANY trash you see, but please do not get caught up picking up small pieces of trash and neglect to look for fishing line. Also, please keep other trash separate since the fishing line will be recycled.
If an entangled bird is encountered: If you feel comfortable, an adult should try to catch the bird, making sure to secure the beak first. Covering the bird’s head with a towel or T-shirt will help to calm the animal. Remove the line making sure to find the hook, or place where line is attached. If the bird seems able to fly away, release on-site. If you need assistance or if the bird is unable to fly, please contact the rescue boat captain (contact information will be provided in your packet at sign-up) and he/she will pick up the bird and transport it to the Save Our Seabirds Sanctuary.

Materials:
Items provided by Sarasota Bay Watch:
o Sign-In Sheet
o Nautical Chart identifying the islands
o Field Data Sheet/Pencils
o Scissors
o Garbage Bags
o Gloves
o Save Our Seabirds/Rescue Boat contact information
Some items you may want to bring along:
o Trolling motor (or push pole)
o Boat pole (or boat hook, any long pole with a hook at one end) Use this when line is too high to be reached. It is best to hook the line and twist until all the line is wrapped around the pole.
o Hats, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
o Binoculars
o Rain Gear
o Drinks/Water
o Towel or extra T-shirt for capturing injured bird