We all know that it is easier to make an impact when we are more than one individual to conserve costal and marine ecosytems. To spread MOCMI’s mission to the community (residents & visitors) we organize certain programs to help the community to collaborate and cooperate with our collective conservation efforts.
Lawaiʻa Pono: Fishing Line Recycling Program
Abandoned fishing line damages coral colonies and entangles sea turtles, monk seals, manta rays, and other marine animals. Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI) seeks to prevent pollution and decrease harmful interactions between marine life and discarded fishing line through the establishment of the Fishing Line Recycling Program.
MOCMI staff rescuing a sub-adult Honu with a fishing line & hook. NOAA Permit: 21260
The FLRP provides an easily accessible method for fishers to take a hands-on, proactive approach to prevent pollution and reduce entanglement hazards by properly discarding their line. Fishing line recycling bins and educational signage are installed at 24 high-traffic fishing locations along Maui’s shoreline, harbors, and boat ramps, and on four sites in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island.
Fishing line is routinely collected from the recycling bins, sorted of hooks and weights, measured, and recorded in our database. The line is then shipped to the Berkley Conservation Institute where it is melted down and made into fish habitat structures and other repurposed equipment.
MOCMI’s team performs bi-weekly shoreline and underwater surveys to collect and document discarded fishing line and other fishing debris. The data obtained will be used to measure the program’s success over time.
For more information or to have a bin installed in your area, email Dustin at dustin(at)mocmarineinstitute.org.
Get Involved
We all know that it is easier to make an impact when we are more than one individual to conserve costal and marine ecosytems. To spread MOCMI’s mission to the community (residents & visitors) we organize certain programs to help the community to collaborate and cooperate with our collective conservation efforts.
Lawaiʻa Pono: Fishing Line Recycling Program
Abandoned fishing line damages coral colonies and entangles sea turtles, monk seals, manta rays, and other marine animals. Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI) seeks to prevent pollution and decrease harmful interactions between marine life and discarded fishing line through the establishment of the Fishing Line Recycling Program.
MOCMI staff rescuing a sub-adult Honu with a fishing line & hook. NOAA Permit: 21260
The FLRP provides an easily accessible method for fishers to take a hands-on, proactive approach to prevent pollution and reduce entanglement hazards by properly discarding their line. Fishing line recycling bins and educational signage are installed at 24 high-traffic fishing locations along Maui’s shoreline, harbors, and boat ramps, and on four sites in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island.
Fishing line is routinely collected from the recycling bins, sorted of hooks and weights, measured, and recorded in our database. The line is then shipped to the Berkley Conservation Institute where it is melted down and made into fish habitat structures and other repurposed equipment.
MOCMI’s team performs bi-weekly shoreline and underwater surveys to collect and document discarded fishing line and other fishing debris. The data obtained will be used to measure the program’s success over time.
For more information or to have a bin installed in your area, email Dustin at dustin(at)mocmarineinstitute.org.