Refuge Volunteer, Amanda DeLuca, and staff member and coordinator of "Passport to Fishing", Bill Thomas, show some of the monofilament fishing line that has been depositied in one of the receptacles in the Cusano Center of the Heinz Refuge. Photo: Bill Buchanan, USFWS

Bryce Phillips lands a fish at the Heinz Refuge's "Passport to Fishing" event on May 26, 2007. Photo by Ron Holmes.

Minerva McCoy and her son, Charles, of Philadelphia, show off a fish just caught at the Heinz Refuge "Passport to Fishing" on May 26, 2007. Photo by Ron Homes.

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum held its annual "Passport to Fishing" event on Saturday, May 26, and by all accounts it was a rousing success.  Over 100 participants received tips and hands-on help with everything from selecting the right equipment to handling and identifying fish. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were on hand to assist visitors with casting techniques, baiting hooks, and programs about being good stewards of the land and water.

Among the species of fish that were caught were channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegills, and carp.  Special gifts were given away including fish identification cards, tackle boxes, fishing poles and belt tackle boxes.

Passport Coordinator, Bill Thomas of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the event was very successful and the numbers continue to grow each year.  He also pointed out that the refuge was participating in a special program to get anglers to put their excess or snagged lines of monofilament into one of the special collection receptacles at key fishing points at the refuge or inside the Cusano Environmental Education Center.  The Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) is dedicated to reducing the dangers caused by discarded fishing line to both wildlife and people. Birds and other animals can ingest  or become entangled in the line. In addition, people who dive, boat and water ski have been wounded, and boating equipment fouled with costly repairs.  The program called, "Cast Your Line Here" is being underwritten by Berkley's Pure Fishing Company.