Entanglement Working Group
Kim Bassos-Hull, MSc

Educational signage

The Entanglement Working Group (EWG) for the State of Florida was initiated in the late 1990's to address increasing problems with manatee entanglement in various types of fisheries gear such as crab trap lines and monofilament fishing lines. The EWG was officially incorporated into the state's Manatee Recovery Team in 2003. A few years later the focus of the group expanded to include marine wildlife in general (especially focusing on manatees, turtles, and dolphins). One of the key programs the EWG initiated is the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP). This program was started in the Florida Keys and Brevard County and has since expanded statewide and is even expanding to other states. The MRRP encourages anglers to responsibly recycle their fishing line in designated recycling bins and boxes at fishing locations, boat ramps, and tackle shops within their communities. This decreases the potential for this line to make its way into the environment with the potential to entangle wildlife.

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (primarily through Kim Bassos-Hull) joined this group in 2005 out of concern for the increasing number of entangled dolphins we were observing and sometimes having to rescue. In addition, we have seen an increase in dolphins depredating fishing lines and mortalities associated with fishing gear. The EWG has increased efforts to educate the public through their website and signage as well as coastal cleanup efforts involving local communities. To learn more go to www.fishinglinerecycling.org.

Monofilament recycling boxes are being plced at local tackle shops and marinas.

Monofilament recyling bins are being placeda t many fishing piers and active fishing locations.