Marion County tests TWRA device to clean up fishing areas

JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF) – Marion County’s TWRA wildlife officer has a solution to monofilament fishing line problems on our lake.

Marty Griffith saw tangles of the line around popular docks and shoreline.

Not only does it look bad, the line can entangle birds and other wildlife.

So he designed a monofilament fishing line container to encourage fishermen to discard them responsibly.

And the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is testing them out now in Marion County.

“It is hard to see people disrespect nature and leave their trash behind for others to deal with or worse yet, entangle wildlife,” says Officer Griffith.

“This is a simple solution and I hope anglers utilize the containers.”

If Marion County fishermen use them, TWRA will expand them to other parts of the state.

“A program isn’t successful without utilization. This is a small effort but it can make a big difference if everyone jumps on board and makes a commitment to stop littering,” commented Griffith.

Wildlife Officer Griffith(right) stands by the new monfilament collection container with fellow officers Russell Vandergriff(left)and Sean Edgmon.