How does monofilament end up in the environment?
Much of the fishing line that ends up in the water gets there when someone’s hook gets snagged on something underwater and the line breaks when pulled. Sometimes the line will rub against a sharp shell (like an oyster shell) and will break. Large fish can sometimes pull hard enough to break lines. Sometimes fishing lines get caught in trees and break off there. Even fishing line that is thrown in the garbage can end up in the environment-either by blowing out of the garbage can or landfill, or by being taken out by birds or animals.
