Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program

The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) started out as a countywide effort, and has turned into a worldwide effort, to educate the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations, and to conduct volunteer monofilament line cleanup events. The program was initiated with funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and has been continued with the assistance and support of a local task force, and in particular, funding from the Brevard Zoo.

Please visit the Florida MRRP website for information on how to initiate a similar program in your area.

What is Monofilament?

DuPont began producing nylon monofilament in 1939, but found that nylon was wiry, and hard to tie knots. In 1958 DuPont introduced Stren®, made from mixing and melting a variety of polymers and then extruding (forcing) the polymer mixture through tiny holes, forming long, single strands of line. The thicker the line, the higher the tensile strength (pound test). Most monofilament is high density, which affects how it can be recycled.

Turf reinforcement mesh, or sod netting, is frequently composed of high density plastic, or extruded polymers much like monofilament. Sod netting is primarily used to stabilize the grass, or turf, on sports fields, right-of-ways, parking lots, retention pond banks, and areas of high erosion, and dense, heavy traffic. The netting provides stability and protection to newly sodded areas, and promotes quicker use, with much more traffic than normal seeding, or sod placement without the netting.

Hand holding monofilament netting

How Does Monofilament Harm?

Discarded monofilament is a risk to boaters, divers, swimmers, and wading anglers:

  • People walking and biking along the shoreline can become entangled by line that commonly gets caught around rocks and vegetation. Boat passengers have even been hooked by fishing gear hanging from bridges.
  • Boat propellers are frequently fouled with monofilament line. Once entangled the prop may seize up, and a drifting boat can be vulnerable in circumstances like poor weather or heavy currents. Line can also enter bilge pumps, water intake valves, and wrap around the lower unit.
  • Scuba divers are at risk of entanglement with monofilament line. Several cases are on record when divers panicked and drown after they became entangled. Sunken ships and other artificial reefs popular with both divers and anglers are particularly risky as they quickly become strewn with lengths of line.

Recycling Monofilament

The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program's main goal is to spread the word about the problems monofilament can cause wildlife and people, and the easy ways to prevent the problem from becoming worse.

Consider that fishing line takes many years to degrade underwater, and that monofilament line has been used by over 600,000 anglers in Brevard County each year for almost 70 years, it's easy to recognize the need to educate ourselves and take steps to make a difference. Once anglers, nature enthusiasts, businesses, and our communities are made aware, we can take steps to be more responsible with the disposal of monofilament line and nets.

Outdoor Recycling Bins

A major component of MRRP is the establishment of a network of recycling bins. The bin pictured above is constructed of 6" PVC pipe and can be attached to a post at boat ramps as shown, or to a pier's railing. There are currently more than 180 outdoor monofilament recycling bins in Brevard County.

Bins are located at public parks adjacent to waterways, boat ramps, fishing piers, and even some marinas. They are located throughout the County, on all major waterways including:

  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Sykes Creek
  • Mosquito Lagoon
  • Banana River Lagoon
  • Indian River Lagoon
  • St. Johns River
  • Lake Washington

Find all outdoor bin locations in Florida

Want to volunteer to adopt a recycling bin? Contact us!

Brevard County - Monofilament Recycle Bin

Indoor Recycling Bins

Complementing the outdoor bins around the county is a network of indoor recycling bins. These are cardboard boxes with pre-paid shipping labels provided by Berkeley's Pure Fishing division.

The following bait and tackle shops are currently providing indoor recycling boxes and a valuable service for the community and improves the health of our waters.

If you know of a tackle shop that might want to get involved in recycling send them to our website or give them our phone number: (321) 633-2016.

How Can You Help?

  1. Recover Your Line:
    Whenever possible retrieve and properly dispose of any monofilament line that you encounter. It is particularly important to take the time to remove monofilament from the mangroves if it becomes tangled there after miscasting.
  2. Volunteer:
    Participate in local beach and river cleanup events. Volunteer for agencies that are actively sponsoring cleanups. In Brevard County you can sponsor an outdoor monofilament recycling bin and empty it of line on a monthly basis. Contact us for information.
  3. Be Line Conscious:
    Be "Line Conscious" and consider the age of your line and its strength. Keep track of all line you use. Even tag ends cut from leaders can be stored in a film canister. Cut an 'X' into the lid of the canister to make it easy to poke the pieces of line through.
  4. Recycle:
    Recycle monofilament fishing line at a local tackle shop or an outdoor PVC recycling bin posted at boat ramps and piers. If the tackle shop or charter boat business you visit does not have a recycling bin encourage them to participate in the program.
  5. Boat Safety Rules:
    If you fish from a boat make it a boat rule not to throw any kind of plastic overboard and especially not monofilament line. Federal law prohibits the discharge of plastic garbage into the ocean any where and any time.
  6. Speak Up:
    Share your knowledge and concern about the issue with others.

Not from Brevard County? You can learn how to start a recycling program in your area by visiting the Florida MRRP website.

Scientists are just discovering the extent of monofilament damage to wildlife. It is import to report all living and dead animals you observe entangled in line or a net. In Florida, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to report entangled wildlife!

1-888-404-FWCC

All Shops Currently Participating in Berkeley Fishing's Recycling Program

  • Titusville Bait and Tackle, 425 Garden Street, Titusville, FL 32796
  • Doc's Bait and Tackle, 20 North Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796
  • Fish Tales Bait and Tackle, 103 Garden St, Titusville, FL 32796
  • Indian River Sportsman, 5161 S. Washington Ave. Titusville, Fl 32780
    phone 321-383-6480
  • Hole -N- the Wall, 728 West Ave, Port St. John, FL 32927
  • Cape Marina, 800 Scallop Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Sunrise Marina and Tiki Bar, 505 Glen Creek Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Natural Bait and Tackle, 680 George King Blvd, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Capt. Jack's Tackle and Marine Supply Co, .780 Mullet Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Newport Marina, 960 Mullet Rd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Salt Water Concepts, 626 Glen Creek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Jetty Park Bait Camp Tackle, 400 East Jetty Park Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Fishing and Diving Center, 6300 N. Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
  • Paulsen's Bait and Tackle, 2849 North Banana River Drive, Merritt Island, FL 32952
  • Tingley's Marina and Fishing Camp, SR 3 and Barge Canal, Merritt Island, FL 32952
  • Island Bait and Tackle, 1700 Sea Ray Dr, Merritt Island, FL 32952
  • Doc's Bait House, 588 West Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL 32952
  • Lone Cabbage Fishing Camp, 8199 SR 520, Cocoa, FL 32922
  • Satellite Bait and Tackle Inc, 1100 S Patrick Dr. Satellite Beach, FL 32937
  • Cocoa Beach Bait and Tackle, 260 N. Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
  • Pineda Bait and Tackle, 5590 N. Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32940
  • Melbourne Rod and Tackle,1270 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, Fl 32935
  • Florida Sportsman Inc., 2771 West New Haven Ave, West Melbourne, FL 32904
  • Camp Holly Fishing, 6901 West Hwy 192West Melbourne, FL 32904
  • Harry Goode's Outdoor Shop,1231 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
  • Wildcat Bait and Tackle,110 S.A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903
  • Gold Star Bait and Tackle, 207 Ocean Ave, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
  • Surfside Bait and Tackle, 6680 A1A, Floridana Beach, FL 32951
  • Long Point Bait and Tackle, 100 Long Point Road, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
  • Whitey's Bait and Tackle, 9030 Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
  • Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle, 9700 Sebastian Inlet, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
  • Honest John's Fish Camp, 750 Mullet Creek Rd, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
  • Palm Bay Fishing Outfitters, 1663 Georgia Street NW, Suite 1000 Palm Bay, FL 32907
  • Nik's Boat Rentals and Bait Shop, 4350 US 1, Palm Bay, FL 32905
  • Palm Bay Bait and Tackle, 4210 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905
  • Bill's Discount Marine, 3800 US 1, Grant, FL 32949
  • Treasure Coast Marina and Boat Yard, 5185 Highway 1, Grant, FL 32949

Contact Information

Berkley Pure Fishing - Monofilament Recyclers
1900 18th Street
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
1-800-BERKLEY
www.berkley-fishing.com

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
To report injured wildlife call:
1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922)