We are so worried about this natural setting, that we take up all sorts of causes to protect and preserve it. We lobby for no motor zones, net bans, laws to prohibit lawn and farm fertilizer runoffs, rally against poorly located desalination plants, and other feel-good, do-good measures to protect this last refuge of nature.

Yet, there is an act many of us commit that does more harm, suffering and destruction to this cherished natural environment than all of the above. It is the callous and careless disposal of monofilament (and now braided) fishing line into the very pristine setting we so treasure.

While all are aware of the concept that monofilament is most hazardous to seabirds, the fact is that this insidiously dangerous material fosters great suffering to all forms of marine life.

Watching the popular cable channel Animal Planet, I viewed the story of a manatee that had its flippers entwined in monofilament. The massive marine mammal was not unfamiliar to its rescuers. It had been in the same agonizing predicament on numerous occasions. Each time, the rescue group gently nets the hapless creature, painstakingly cuts away many yards of crippling mono, dresses the wounds, and releases the manatee, fully expecting it to fall victim to this insidious material again.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of fishing the old Boca Grande Phosphate Docks. It was an exhilarating three hours, catching and releasing huge jack cravalle, blues, and large snook. But what we saw under the dock diminished any of the joy we had from fishing. There, hanging dead or dying by fishing line were several seabirds, mostly pelicans.

On another occasion, I had the opportunity to walk through a bird roosting area on a spoil island at the north end of Sarasota Bay. Their, hanging from the trees by monofilament were dozens of dead or dying birds, victims of this insidious material.

When fishing, if you feel a running fish might “spool” you, tighten down the drag so that the leader breaks at the hook or lure. Then retrieve the line so that it doesn’t wind up killing marine creatures or birds.

The really depressing aspect is that this death and suffering is so unnecessary. If you do hook one of our winged fishing companions, just take the time to help the hapless creature. Gently retrieve an ensnared bird. Have a towel or blanket handy to cover its beak to protect yourself from being pecked during the removal process. Finally, carefully remove all hooks and fishing line to send the bird on its way. For more on how you can remove hooks, line and other debris from the seabirds, please see our web site feature on the subject at http://www.capmel.com/Let’s_help_the_seabirds_survive.htm .

There will be times during a fishing trip when you must change line or cut out tangles. Take that plastic sandwich zip-lock bag and store the line until you can dispose of it properly ashore.

Let’s do all we can to keep our pristine fishing environment from becoming a graveyard for innocent creatures.