Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout Studies have joined together in a new recycling program for monofilament (fishing line). Cape Lookout Studies organization promotes the Monofilament Recycling and Recovery Program and has placed over 45 recycling bins across the North Carolina coast.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore currently has three recycling bins located at Ramp 44 in Buxton, Ramp 55 in Hatteras Village, and the Frisco Bath House beach access.
The recycling bins are pipe-shaped tube with a message stating the importance of recycling monofilament. By recycling monofilament, we are keeping our waterways free of fishing lines that inadvertently snare marine mammals and wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, birds and fish.
To date, the organization has recycled over 1,100 miles of discarded fishing line. Recycled monofilament is sent to Berkley Conservation Institute in Iowa, where the fishing line is turned into structures used for fish habitats called "fish-habs".
While traveling the beaches of the seashore, either by vehicle or foot, you can support this program! Collect discarded monofilament line and deposit it in one of the three new recycling stations in the park.
For more information check the following websites:
http://www.capelookoutstudies.org/monofilament-recycling-program
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/Recycling/Berkley-recycling,default,pg.html