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Town Of Hempstead Wants Fishermen To Properly Dispose Of Fishing Lines

HEMPSTEAD, NY (WCBS 880) -- The Town of Hempstead is trying to protect wildlife from careless fishermen and improperly disposed fishing equipment.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reports

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A fishing line that casters leave behind can be dangerous and even deadly to wildlife.

"Discarded fishing lines could literally get wrapped around sea life, around birds and eventually kill them," said Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "We've also seen many propellers on boats, even being sort of fouled up by that fishing line."

That's why Hempstead is teaming up with Operation SPLASH, or
Stop Polluting Littering And Save Harbors, a non-profit group chartered by the town to help curb waterfront pollution. 

Fishing line disposal sites have been set up at nearly a dozen shoreline locations.

Murray is encouraging their use.

"It could really save marine life, help our birds and even help our boaters as well," she said.

For more information about Operation SPLASH, click here.

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