Our Mission-Aransas Reserve in Texas is leading a campaign to highlight problems caused by marine debris and inspire local mariners to become part of the solution. Through a combination of billboards, marina signage, public service announcements, community outreach, and social media, the campaign is educating Port Aransas anglers and boaters about the impact that marine debris, including fishing line, has on wildlife and the environment.

The $72,000 campaign is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and is supported by organizations including the Coastal Conservation Association-Texas, Surfrider Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Texas Sea Grant, and the Padre Island National Seashore.

“So many partners are working on this issue and we wanted to get these folks together to brainstorm ways to reach thousands of people about the problem. This project brought us together so we could really target our messaging,” says Jace Tunnell, manager of the reserve. “Given the number of folks reached in this campaign, everyone benefited from working as a team.”

Worldwide, more than 200 species of marine life have been harmed by debris. Animals may inadvertently eat debris or, in the case of monofilament fishing line, they can become entangled in it, injured, or even killed. According to the Texas General Land Office, more than 500 tons of trash is removed from Texas beaches each year. This can have significant impact on the state’s tourism and recreation.

The team created an educational video for the campaign that has been viewed more than 40,000 times and recently launched a public service announcement.