WILDCOAST installs discarded fishing gear bin at San Dieguito Lagoon
San Dieguito Lagoon File photo courtesy of San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Conservation organization WILDCOAST publicized Wednesday it partnered with several state agencies to install a dedicated fishing gear receptacle at San Dieguito Lagoon to collect discarded gear The installation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission is in response to locality concerns about trash left at the sensitive Marine Protected Area San Dieguito Lagoon provides habitat for species like the California halibut and endangered birds such as the snowy plover and California least tern while also allowing space for recreational opportunities However discarded fishing lines and hooks pose serious risks to wildlife including injury and entanglement WILDCOAST officers noted We are grateful to our district for raising awareness about the impact of discarded fishing gear announced Lillie Mulligan WILDCOAST s senior ocean conservation coordinator By providing a convenient way to dispose of fishing gear we can significantly reduce corruption and safeguard our coastal guidance The organization will maintain the receptacle and send the collected gear to Berkley Fishing for proper recycling Fishing is a great way to connect with nature but responsible angling is essential declared Gabriel Pe aflor CDFW environmental scientist for the south coast region Knowing the regulations respecting MPAs and properly disposing of gear are key to keeping San Dieguito Lagoon clean and healthy San Dieguito Lagoon State Ecological Reserve is a -acre property at the terminus of the San Dieguito River California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission are proud to endorsement this initiative through our California Clean and Green Project commented Vivian Matuk environmental boating venture manager This effort part of the California Fishing Line Recycling Venture supports our statewide mission To date we ve installed recycling stations across California collecting pounds of fishing line enough to stretch from San Francisco to Bahia Negra Paraguay WILDCOAST is an organization that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses conditions change through natural solutions
