The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 16 No. 52 - October 26, 2016

reel time

Sarasota Bay Watch's 8th annual cleanup

Reel time

rUSTY CHINNIS | SUbmitted

Seabirds like this nesting least tern often target anglers.

 

 

On Nov. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bay Watch (SBW) will hold its 8th Annual Monofilament Cleanup. Participants will meet at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron to conduct the cleanup of local bird rookeries. Lunch will be provided after the event.

The cleanup is conducted during this time of the year because seabirds do not nest in the fall. Volunteers will search for and remove fishing line from mangrove shorelines and bridge fenders as well as bird nesting islands.

In past years, SBW's fishing line cleanup has attracted up to 100 volunteers and removed over three football field lengths of line from the bay's coastline. Materials that are collected will be weighed and measured and the data shared with scientists working on entanglement issues. This is a great opportunity to help protect seabirds and other marine wildlife.

Participants are encouraged to bring a boat or kayak. Those without boats will placed with others, if possible, but cleanup can also be done on foot around the bridges and shorelines near the Sailing Squadron. All volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, footwear, sunscreen, eye protection, hats, water and an enthusiastic spirit.

Anglers who fish the coastal waters of Florida will invariably come into contact with the seabirds that inhabit Florida waters. The encounter can be deadly to seabirds if anglers don't know the basics of caring for them.

These birds make our estuaries their home, and can actually help anglers in their search for fish. The birds are put in harm's way when they come into contact with discarded fishing line in mangroves. They can also take line to their roosts after becoming hooked by fishermen who don't know how to release them properly.

If bird is hooked while fishing make sure that you fight it to the boat with a properly set drag to prevent it from them from breaking free while trailing line. This is a death sentence for the birds when they roost. If you work the bird to the boat as you would a big fish, they can be held by the neck or head while the hook is removed. Care should be taken with all birds, especially ones that have sharp beaks. They don't know you are trying to help them. A towel placed over the bird's head will protect you and calm them. Handle birds carefully as they have very light, hollow bones. Carefully remove the line from their body, wings and feet and check them carefully before releasing them. If you see a hooked or tangled bird in an active rookery during nesting season, don't approach them as their young may be startled and fall from the nest.

You can reduce the chance of hooking birds by following a few simple rules. First never feed birds, as this will teach them to look for a handout, a practice that annoys anglers and is dangerous to the birds. Secondly, while you're fishing be aware of birds that might be targeting your bait or lure. It's easy to pull the lure out of harm's way at the last second a gull or tern dives on it.

Taking care of the environment is every angler's responsibility. If you see a bird in distress and can't help it call Save Our Seabirds at (941) 388-3010 or Audubon Coastal Island Sanctuaries at 813-623-6826. You can sign up for the event (required) and find out about future events at www.sarasotabaywatch.org.


AMISUN ~ The Island's Award-Winning Newspaper