Additional fishing line bins placed at Winklespruit Beach

FOUR additional fishing line bins were installed by Toti Conservancy, the Clean Surf Project team and Sapphire Coast Tourism (SCT) at Winklespruit Beach on Saturday, 5 May.

“We urge all fishermen to make use of the bins provided to discard their fishing line and hooks,” said SCT chairman, Romy Wenzel. “Anyone who is interested in coming onboard to assist with this worthy initiative can contact Angus Pyke from Toti Conservancy on 074-951-4267.”

The conservancy’s Gill van Wyk introduced the bins to Toti beaches at the beginning of 2014 and received help with the project from local businesses, who sponsored them. Gill van Wyk of Toti Conservancy introduced the bins on Toti beaches after seeing what a success they were in the Cape.

A total of 15 bins were installed from Winklespruit to Doonside and Toti main beach but over the years, they deteriorated and are now being replaced.

READ ALSO: Fishing line recycling bins reel in success

Often animals and birds become entangled in discarded fishing lines and die as a result, and this has lead Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife endorsing the bins.

The pilot project to protect Toti’s sea and birdlife by placing fishing line recycling bins on beaches in 2014 was expanded to Durban and North Coast beaches.

The bins prevent dolphins, whales, turtles and all other sealife, plus seabirds and any dogs or children from being injured by fishing tackle which is often left on the beaches by negligent fishermen.