Initiative will prevent improper discarding of fishing lines.
The City of Port Colborne says the Sugarloaf Marina is about to launch the 'Clear Your Gear' initiative.
The program was created to prevent people from improperly discarding fishing lines, which could cause scuba divers, boats and wildlife to become entangled.
Environmental advocate Mike Cooper suggested the program to the City earlier this year.
"We all have a role to play in keeping this waterfront community clean and safe for wildlife, Cooper said. "This was a collaborative effort by many organizations, including Clear Your Gear, Bass Pro, Cabela’s Canada, local volunteers and City of Port Colborne staff. I’m so thankful the City recognized the importance of ‘Clear Your Gear’ and moved forward with this initiative."
Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and City staff, four cannisters have been placed at the Marina, the public boat ramp and H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park to allow residents to easily dispose of fishing lines.
The lines will be cleaned of hooks, leaders, trash and weights, and then shipped to Berkley Conservation Institute in North Carolina.
Upon arrival, the lines will be melted down into plastic raw pellets and made into other products like tackle boxes, fish habitats and spools.
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