Video of local angler freeing bird from fishing line encourages environmental awareness

CALLAHAN, Fla. — Fisherman Edward Smith said it’s bad enough when he see’s trash along the shore of the St.Johns River, but it’s even more upsetting when he finds garbage floating in the water.

Recently, Smith found a seagull in the river tangled in discarded fishing line.

“At first I thought maybe a predator had him After 10-15 minutes of nothing going on but him struggling, I knew something had to be going on,” he said.

Smith told Action News Jax he paddled out in his kayak and immediately noticed the line wrapped around the bird's body.

“He’d get maybe 6 inches off the water and then right back down to the water. He couldn’t go anywhere," he said.

Smith brought the bird back to shore and cut it free.

He documented the entire effort on video and posted it to Facebook.

“He took off in the water, then came back on the beach. He eventually did fly off. If just took him a little bit to regain his strength,” said the fisherman.

It made Smith wonder how often animals are injured by trash left floating in the ocean.

“Where I found the bird out here, there’s dumpsites at the end of the road here. You could have taken everything down there and not just throw it in the water,” he said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has 1,000 recycling bins across the state specifically for fishing lines.

The agency recommends checking lines for frays that could break and get caught on trees and utility lines.

According to Smith, just a little added attention could save an animal's life. “I know nature is suppose to take its course but that’s not nature, that’s human ignorance," he said.

• The man who helped rescued the bird said he noticed the bird struggling and after 20 minutes he decided to intervene, finding the fishing line tangled around the bird's head, neck, wings and feet.
• After the seagull was free of the fishing line, it can be seen floating in the water and walking along the shore; the fisherman said in a Facebook post the bird seemed relieved.
• FWC has a Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program, which is a state wide initiative to educate the public on the dangers of fishing line being left in the environment.
• The FWC also has a map of all 1,000 recycling bins across the state specifically for collecting fishing line.
• Check line frequently for frays that may break easily.
• Don't leave bait unattended since pelicans, herons and other birds may attempt to take the bait from the line, which may result in entanglements.
• Cast away from trees, utility lines, wildlife and areas where line may get caught.
• If you see improperly discarded fishing line while you are out, pick it up and stow it to be disposed of later.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group