FWC and Florida Counties successfully provide boat ramp areas with fishing line disposal containers and "PREVENT SEABIRD ENTANGLEMENT" signage. However, there is one overlooked factor. Not all birds are seabirds. A seabird can be defined as a bird that makes its living primarily from the ocean, beyond the intertidal or surf zone. This message does not include freshwater birds or signage at freshwater ramps. The other initiative is "REEL, REMOVE AND RELEASE," which also educates people with an effective way to save birds. More info can be found here: https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/unhook/

There are signs in some but not all places where freshwater fishing is popular, i.e. State and County parks/ramps/kayak launches. What is being overlooked about this initiative? In shoreline fishing areas, casting near mangroves and other trees causes snags. A motorized boat may not be able to safely remove the snag due to the depth of water. Therefore, the line usually needs to be cut. Birds will roost and nest in vegetation near the water's edge, and may get caught in that cut line. During the 2020 spring nesting season, some birds were easily rescued, but other birds died. This doesn't imply that the fisherman failed to save the birds. Instead, it implies that the line tangled in the trees caused the birds to die. Many kayakers have come to the rescue. With a kayak’s low profile, and the ease of getting alongside the vegetation in shallow water, they were successful in saving birds. Therefore, it is believed that more education for kayakers can help save more birds.