Residents and anglers are encouraged to help keep the coastline safe by disposing of used fishing line and fishing gear responsibly.

The Southbroom Conservancy, together with Oceanfriendly South Africa, has joined the WESSA Green Coast Stop the Strangle campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing the impact of discarded fishing tackle on marine life.

As part of the campaign, WESSA Green Coast has donated four dedicated fishing tackle recycling bins, which will soon be installed at strategic locations around Southbroom with the assistance of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.

The bins will provide anglers with a safe way to dispose of used fishing line and other discarded fishing gear, helping to protect marine life from unnecessary entanglement and ghost fishing, the secondary effect of discarded fishing gear.

The contents of each bin will be monitored and recorded, with the data contributing to the wider conservation initiative.

Taryn Burns of Oceanfriendly South Africa said discarded fishing line and tackle are a threat to marine life.

“Discarded fishing line and tackle may seem insignificant, but they pose a serious threat to our marine life. Birds, turtles and other marine animals can become entangled, often with devastating consequences.”

Taryn said that by providing dedicated recycling bins, it’s easier for anglers to dispose off their used fishing gear responsibly. “Every piece of line that is recycled is one less hazard in our oceans,” she said.

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