Galveston starts monofilament recycling program

Galveston installed 24 monofilament recycle stations at west-end beach access points recently to encourage anglers to properly dispose of their lines.

Without being properly discarded, the lines can remain in the aquatic system for up to 600 years and harm the underwater environment. Marine mammals can find themselves entangled, injured or possibly ingest the line, which can cause death. Line may also damage boat propellers or entangle divers and swimmers.

"It's important that anglers dispose of fishing line responsibly," said City Environmental Services Superintendent Paul Booth. "Throwing line in the garbage can doesn't mean it won't end up in the environment. It often blows out or is taken out by birds or animals."

Booth explained that another 40 recycling stations will be placed along the rock jetties in front of the seawall during the week. City crews will collect the line, and Pure Fishing's Berkley Conservation Institute will receive it for recycling.

If interested in hosting a recycling station yourself, call Paul Booth at 409-539-2381; Booth hopes to involve local businesses in outreach.

If a marine mammal is spotted entangled or hurt from fishing line, call 1-800-9-MAMMAL.