Clean Marine
Fishing Line Bins
In late 2010, The Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) in association with Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai Administration has established the Fishing Line Recovery Programme along the Gansbaai shoreline, with specially designed disposal bins.
This innovative project aims to reduce the severe environmental damage caused by discarded fishing line on our coastline.
Monofilament fishing line is non-biodegradable entering in the marine environment where it entangles wildlife, is mistakenly ingested by birds and animals, resulting in injury or death, and is also hazardous to boaters and swimmers.
By increasing public awareness about the negative impacts that fishing line debris has on marine life, water quality, and human welfare, we hope to reduce the amount of fishing line entering and remaining in the marine environment, as well as to increase the amount of fishing line being recycled.
A network of fishing line recycling bins has been placed by the municipality at local beaches and popular fishing spots in Gansbaai, namely: Kleinbaai, Franskraal, Gansbaai harbour and Romansbaai.
Anglers are encouraged to recycle or dispose of their used fishing line at these bins. The Trust holds regular beach clean-ups with local schools and the community creating further opportunity for education. The Trust is grateful for the support shown by the Overstrand Municipality. The vision is to see this project grow along the South African Coastline.
In October 2011, part of this vision was realised when together with WESSA (Wildlife and environment Society of South Africa) and the Blue Flag Beach Programme, the bins are being placed adjacent to all Blue Flag beaches in order to encourage correct disposal and to provide a platform for education. Blue Flag beaches means the beach is clean, safe and environmentally friendly.
This exciting development was supported by the donation from the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association and DPI Plastics, arranged by John Kieser of Plastics SA. The material was enough to make 100 bins – 54 dedicated to the Blue Flag programme.
For only R350 per bin, you too can support this project enabling its growth and the development of marine pollution educational materials. Your name will be listed on the web as a supporter and you will be issued with a certificate. Use our secure online payment system to make your donation.
© 2011 Dyer Island Conservation Trust
Seal from Dyer Island entangled with fishing line
