In celebration of World Environment Day (5 June 2015), the Department of Environment (DoE) will be launching a fishing line recycling initiative. In conjunction with this, the DoE is holding a Poster Competition and is inviting students of 17 years and younger to design a poster to depict the dangers of fishing line entanglement for local marine life.

“In the Cayman Islands, entanglement in lost and discarded monofilament fishing line is one of the leading causes of severe injury and death for turtles. Entangled turtles die from injuries caused by loops of line tightening around their neck or flippers or drown when they cannot break lines to reach the surface” advised Dr. Janice Blumenthal who coordinates the DoE’s marine turtle research programme.

The DoE will be installing bins across the three islands to collect discarded fishing line, which will be shipped to the USA for recycling. The students with the winning poster designs will have their artwork turned into signage to accompany some of these recycling bins, with the competition winners being announced on World Environment Day. Other exciting prizes include participating in turtle hatchling releases and nest excavations, Atlantis Submarine passes, Cayman Kayak tours, t-shirts and gift bags.

Entries are invited from students in two age categories: 12 years and under, and 13-17 year olds. Posters must be received by 5PM on Friday 29 May 2015.

For more information on competition rules and to download a competition application form, please visit www.doe.ky or email [email protected].

For details of how you can get involved in organizing fishing line clean-ups or for more information on the dangers of discarded fishing line in the marine environment, please visit www.doe.ky.

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