By Dan Burger, Director, Coastal Services Division

Do you have a garage full of old fishing gear? If you do, the Clean Marine Event in Charleston is for you!

April 24-26, DHEC will be working with S.C. SeaGrant, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other partners to provide disposal sites in Charleston County to get rid of unwanted fishing and boating gear before it becomes marine debris.

Marine debris is a serious problem across South Carolina’s coast. Lost fishing gear, such as crab pots and monofilament line, can seriously harm — and even kill — the birds, turtles, fish and dolphins that make the Lowcountry so special. For example, crab traps can trap and drown turtles; monofilament line entangles and injures birds, dolphins, turtles and other animals.

Clean Marine Disposal Event Dates and Times:

• Friday, April 24, 2015 from 12 PM – 6 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 8 AM – 6 PM
• Sunday, April 26, 2015 from 8 AM – 6 PM

Find trash and recycling containers at these marinas and boat landings:

• Dawhoo Landing on Edisto Island
• Cherry Point Landing on Wadmalaw Island
• John P. Limehouse Landing on Johns Island
• Folly River Landing on Folly Island
• Wappoo Cut on James Island
• Charleston City Marina in Downtown Charleston
• Cooper River Marina in North Charleston
• Remley’s Point in Mount Pleasant
• Robert L. Ashley Boat Landing in McClellanville

Also, Bees Ferry Landfill will waive the tipping fee for any personal boats and trailers brought directly to that location on Friday, April 24 (8 AM – 4 PM) and Saturday, April 25 (8 AM – 3 PM) only.

What items will be accepted?

• Fishing gear: crab traps, nets, fishing line, tackle boxes, fishing rods and reels, etc.
• Boating gear: dock lines, life jackets, coolers, fenders, buoys, etc.
• Boat motors (must be drained of oil and gas)
• Boat batteries
• Hazardous household waste: paints, oils, thinners, solvents (must be in a sealed container)
• Trailer tires

What items are NOT accepted?

• Gasoline
• Flares or any explosives
• Firearms
• Commercial grade hazardous household waste

Learn more by visiting the Clean Marine page of Facebook at https://facebook.com/CleanMarineSC.

Properly disposing of your marine waste today will help keep our coastal waters cleaner tomorrow!