Grassy Key, FL… Keys residents can help clean up the Florida Keys by joining staff and volunteers from Dolphin Research Center (DRC) in a volunteer effort to collect discarded monofilament fishing line and trash, at the bridge over Toms Harbor Channel, mile marker 60.5, on Saturday, October 2nd from 8:30 am to 12 noon. All participants should wear clothes that can get wet or dirty, and bring water shoes, gloves, hats, sunscreen, bug repellent and tools such as clippers or scissors. Trash bags, water and light snacks will be provided by Dolphin Research Center. Volunteers will meet at the parking area on the south end of the bridge on the ocean side. For more information, call Sarah Wilson at 305-289-1121, extension 253.
The event on the 2nd was originally scheduled for September 18th and is part of the statewide Florida Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy. Discarded monofilament line is a huge threat to marine life, as is other debris that gets into the waters surrounding our islands. Late last month, Dolphin Research Center rescued and treated a well-known manatee named Dually for her fourth monofilament entanglement injury. Florida manatees, dolphins, turtles, birds and other animals frequently become entangled in or ingest the line and can suffer life-threatening injuries. In an effort to keep more debris from entering the water and to raise public awareness of the problem, Dolphin Research Center coordinates bridge clean-ups throughout the year.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals and humans and the environment through research and education. Located on the Overseas Highway at mile marker 59, Grassy Key, the center is home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions and is an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For more information, call 305-289-1121.
