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Pier Watch™ of
the Central Coast, is an all volunteer, San Luis Obispo County based group
dedicated to educating the public about proper disposal of fishing line and
tackle, responsible fishing practices and the importance of not
feeding seabirds. Our group consists of volunteers from various backgrounds
who are committed to improving the cleanliness and safety of our piers.
Our group provides free educational signs for posting at
piers and beaches. We collaborate with responsible fisherman, established
rescue groups and city and pier officials to achieve mutual goals.
Our goal is to educate the public in hopes to reduce the number of injuries to wildlife directly caused by feeding seabirds and from improperly discarded fishing line and tackle.
We provide custom
educational signs Free of charge to pier officials for posting
in and around popular fishing locations on our piers. Signs include helpful
fishing tips as well as local area information of who to call for rescue assistance
if injured wildlife is encountered as well as other important phone numbers.
We believe that providing the public with information through the presence
of eductional signs and outreach is an inexpensive and effective means to
achieve these goals.
Keeping our Piers and beaches free of dangerous debris, specifically
abandoned fishing line, tackle and plastics is aided through our volunteer
pier cleanups and the help of local residents and the local
chapter of Surfrider and other groups
that frequently remove debris from our beaches and piers.
Pier
Watch of the Central Coast, is an all volunteer, San Luis Obispo county based
group dedicated to educating the public about proper disposal of fishing line
and tackle, responsible fishing practices and the importance of not
feeding seabirds. Our group consists of volunteers from various backgrounds
who are committed to improving the cleanliness and safety of our piers.
Our group frequently removes abandoned fishing line, hooks and other plastic
debris from our piers and provides Free educational signs
for posting at Central Coast piers and beaches. We collaborate with responsible
fisherman, established rescue groups and city and pier officials to achieve
mutual goals.
Our goal is to educate the public in hopes to reduce the number of injuries to wildlife directly caused by feeding seabirds and from improperly discarded fishing line and tackle.
We provide custom educational signs Free of charge to pier
officials for posting in and around popular fishing locations on our piers.
Signs include helpful fishing tips as well as local area information of who
to call for rescue assistance if injured wildlife is encountered as well as
other important phone numbers.
We believe that providing the public with information through the presence
of eductional signs and outreach is an inexpensive and effective means to
achieve these goals.
Keeping our Piers and beaches free of dangerous debris, specifically
abandoned fishing line, tackle and plastic debris is aided through our volunteer
pier cleanups and the help of local residents that frequently
remove debris from our piers.
Volunteer
to help educate visitors to our central coast Piers. Just
an hour of your time can help! Next time you are at the beach, take a few
minutes to remove fishing line and abandoned tackle from our Piers.
•
Donate and help sponsor a sign. Email
us to find out how.
NEW!
Visit Our Online Store to Buy Pier Watch Shirts, Hats & More!
•
Download
Fisherman's Quick Guide & Fishing Tips -
Learn more from this useful guide.
•
Contact Pacific
Wildlife Care to learn how to become trained in seabird rescue
or to become a transporter.
Learn these important fishing tips! |
• Never Feed Seabirds. Fish bones from filleted fish carcasses cause internal injury to birds (especially Pelicans) causing scratches and damage along the bird's intestinal tract. Bones can puncture the stomach lining which then causes fluid to seep into the body cavity of the bird. This causes a severe infection called peritonitis. Once the infection starts, the bird will die within 48 hours.
• Feeding birds makes them dependent on humans. If you feed them, they might interfere when people are trying to fish. Some people unfortunately will consider them a nuisance and may try to harm birds. You can fish in peace if you do not feed birds. Birds are more likely to get injured from fishing line/hooks if they are around fishing activity.
• If you accidentally hook a bird, DO NOT CUT THE LINE. Reel the bird in slowly and gently, using a dip net if available. If on a pier, walk the line to shore and use a hoop net to scoop the bird. Call for rescue assistance 805-543-WILD. If you cut the line, the bird will become entangled in the line and starve and/or the hook will cause infection leading to death. View National Marine Fisheries Service for more detailed rescue tips and info.
• If you find abandoned fishing line, tackle, or plastic bags on the Pier or beach, pick them up and throw them away in the trash. Birds, dolphins, turtles, and fish get entangled in wads of fishing line and plastic causing injury and death.
• When fishing, throw away all unused fishing lines or hooks in the trash. It is best to recycle monofilament line. However, if you must deposit in the trash, cut it into small pieces before disposing.
• Never throw pieces of plastic or let fishing line go into the ocean.
• Use barb-less hooks (which hold fish as well, but are easier to remove from the flesh of impaled birds).
•
Never leave a fishing line unattended. You may accidentally
catch a fish and a bird.
•Keep all bait and food covered and out of the reach of birds
at all times.
• If you see someone leaving behind fishing line or tackle, kindly tell them why it is dangerous to leave it behind.
• Help educate. Most people are simply unaware of these types of dangers.
• If you believe someone is harassing or harming a marine animal, Report the incident immediately to the CA Dept. of Fish and Game and the local authorities. Get a description of the person, pictures or video, license plate, time of day, and witness names and phone numbers. It is against the law to harm or harass marine animals. All seabirds are protected under state and federal law. Report to California Department of Fish and Game CALtip at 1-800-952-5400, press 3. Visit our important numbers page for more info.
or
assistance with rescue of injured birds or wildlife in SLO county call:
Pacific Wildlife Care at 805-543-WILD.
Whenever possible, stay with the injured animal until a PWC volunteer is able
to call you back. If you cannot, leave a message with the precise location
of the animal and the nature of its injuries. Visit www.pacificwildlifecare.org
for more information.
Report
stranded marine mammals to:
Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-7325.
Visit www.tmmc.org
for more info and instructions.
In California, Report harassment or harming of marine animals to:
California Department of Fish and Game CALtip at 1-800-952-5400,
press 3.
In Avila Beach, the Port San Luis Harbor Patrol is also available to assist when available. 805-595-5435.
Know the law and inform people:
Throwing plastic into the ocean and harassing or harming marine animals is against the law. All seabirds are protected under federal and state law. The California Brown Pelican is protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Act. Fines for harming them are severe: as much as $50,000 and possibly a year in jail. California sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and California state law. Killing them is illegal, and harassing them can carry fines of up to $10,000.
Sign Installations:
Fall
2005: Educational Signs Installed on Morro
Bay Piers!
Spring 2005: Educational Signs
Installed on Pismo Pier, Avila Pier and Port San Luis (Harford) Piers.
Thanks
to everyone who continues to support this project!
In
the News:
26JAN05 Times Press Recorder
26JAN05 Photo
Times Press Recorder
24JAN05 San Luis Obipso Tribune
09JAN05
Release, Harbor Patrol and Public try to save Hooked Pelican
