Team Introduction
Ryan High (Team Leader – Right) – Led the research and service project and coordinated group responsibilities.
Mia Kennedy (Team Progress Log Manager – Left) – Tracked project progress, deadlines, and organized documentation.
Corey Zimmerman (Team Liaison – Middle) – Served as the primary point of contact between the team and external partners.
Research Issue: Fishing & Recreation Impacts on Biodiversity
Our research focuses on how recreational and commercial fishing practices negatively impact marine biodiversity, particularly through abandoned fishing gear, non-selective fishing methods, and overfishing. Fishing line and nets are commonly made from durable synthetic materials such as nylon and polyethylene, which can persist in the environment for decades.
One major issue we explored is Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG). An estimated 6.4 million tons of fishing gear enter the ocean each year. This gear continues to trap marine life in a process known as ghost fishing, harming fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals while disrupting ecosystems and food webs.
We also examined bottom trawling, one of the most destructive fishing practices. Bottom trawling involves dragging heavy nets along the ocean floor, destroying habitats, capturing non-target species, and contributing to massive bycatch. This practice accelerates overfishing and threatens both biodiversity and coastal economies that rely on sustainable fisheries.
These impacts contribute to serious global consequences, including habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and food insecurity. Currently, 31% of global fish stocks are overfished, with another 58% fished at full capacity, leaving little room for recovery.
Service Project: Fishing Line Recycling & Environmental Protection
Our service project directly addressed the issue of discarded fishing line pollution, which poses a severe threat to wildlife through entanglement and ingestion. We partnered with the Sierra Club and Blue Marsh Lake staff to design and install fishing line recycling containers at high-traffic fishing areas.
Initially, the Sierra Club provided us with several possible locations and ideas. After planning and discussion, we finalized our project site at Blue Marsh Lake, where fishing activity is common and the risk of line pollution is high. Our group constructed PVC recycling pipes designed to be more effective than older models. Our containers are larger and include an unscrewable bottom, allowing for easier maintenance and safer removal of collected line.
An exciting aspect of this project is that our recycling containers also support a Boy Scout troop’s new handicap-accessible fishing area, helping ensure that sustainability efforts are inclusive and community-focused.
This project allowed us to take what we learned from our research and apply it in a real-world setting, directly reducing environmental harm while educating the public about responsible fishing practices.
EACAP Project Reflection & Message to Others
Participating in the EACAP project helped us understand how research and service work together to create meaningful environmental change. Learning about the long-term impacts of fishing gear pollution was eye-opening, especially seeing how something as small as discarded fishing line can cause severe injury or death to wildlife.
Working with the Sierra Club and Blue Marsh Lake staff showed us how collaboration between students, organizations, and local communities can make sustainability efforts more effective. This project reinforced that environmental problems are not just global issues, they are local, visible, and solvable when people take responsibility.
Through this experience, we gained a stronger appreciation for conservation, teamwork, and the importance of proactive solutions rather than reactive cleanup. To other students and young people, our message is simple: small actions matter. Whether it’s disposing of fishing line properly, supporting conservation efforts, or educating others, everyone has the ability to reduce their environmental impact and protect biodiversity for future generations.
