Sarasota News Leader
December 21, 2012
Page 39
COUNTY OFFICIALS URGE PROPER DISPOSAL OF FISHING LINE
The recent death of a bottlenose dolphin discovered in Venice Inlet has prompted county
officials and wildlife experts to remind fishing
enthusiasts that improper disposal of monofilament fishing line tackle can be fatal.
The 500-pound female dolphin was discovered tangled in fishing line and is suspected to
have died from ingesting fishing gear, a county
news release points out.
Proper disposal of monofilament fishing line
and tackle is included in the educational
component of the Sarasota County Manatee
Protection Plan, a county news release says.
Since the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) began in 2006, more
than 60 monofilament recycling bins have
been installed at key water access points such
as boat ramps, parks, canoe launches, fishing
piers and other locations frequented by fishermen throughout Sarasota County, the release
adds.
ty Park, Indian Mound Park Boat Ramp and
Venice Pier.
Discarded monofilament is a threat to birds,
turtles, manatees, fish, dolphins and other
marine life, and it also poses a risk to divers
and swimmers, the news release points out.
Most monofilament fishing line is non-biodegradable and can last 600 years in the environment. Once entangled in it, animals have limited mobility and may drown, become strangled
or maimed or can starve to death, the release
notes. Many animals also ingest fishing line
during normal feeding activities.���
Fishing line should be cut into small portions
and placed in a sealed container or garbage
bag, the release says. Fishing line thrown in
a garbage bin can end up in the environment
from winds blowing it out of the receptacle or
it can be pulled out by animals searching for
food, the release adds.
For more information about the MRRP, to
request a bin or to become a volunteer and
The monofilament bin locations are Ken adopt a bin, contact the Sarasota County Call
Thompson Park, Turtle Beach Park, South Jet- Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.
FREE ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM OFFERED FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Sarasota County is encouraging property
owners, both year-round and seasonal ones,
to sign up for the free CodeRED alert notification system.
The CodeRED system provides alerts to property owners through phone and text messages relating to issues in their neighborhoods,
a county news release says. New this year is
the ability to have text messages delivered to
cell phones.
Environmental Utilities in the news release.
���The free CodeRED system can alert you to
evacuations, water/sewer service interruptions, road closures, Amber Alerts and more.���
To sign up for the CodeRED system, visit
www.scgov.net and select the CodeRED Notification Registration link under ���Public Safety��� at the bottom of the page. Registration is
free. Sarasota County does not share the information with private, third-party vendors,
���Getting accurate and fast information on the news release notes.
an event in your neighborhood can save you
time, money and, possibly, even your life,��� For more information, contact the Sarasota Counsaid Paula Parsons Grubb of Sarasota County ty Call Center at 861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.
