BoatUS Foundation Environmental Leadership Award to Jim Martin
by D. Scott Croft on 8 Oct 2013
BoatUS Foundation Environmental Leadership Award winner Jim Martin, of the Berkley Conservation Institute. BoatUS Press Room
Recycling used fishing line seems simple enough. Build some recycling line containers or bins, install them at the water's edge and teach anglers to put the used line safely inside. Since 2008, the BoatUS Foundation has helped install over 2,000 line-recycling bins at docks, ramps and boat clubs. But none of this would be possible without a dedicated partner in the fishing industry who is committed to collect all of the line and ensure it's recycled. This partner is Berkley Conservation Institute's Jim Martin.
Since 1990, Berkley has recycled nine million miles of fishing line - enough to reach the moon and back 19 times. For his hard work, dedication and expertise, Martin, Conservation Director with the Berkley Conservation Institute, is honored with the 2013 BoatUS Foundation Environmental Leadership Award. The award was presented at the 2013 States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) Conference this week in Portland, OR.
'The award recognizes those leaders in the boating community who have made a significant impact advancing clean boating and educating boaters about how they can minimize their environmental impacts,' said BoatUS Foundation Vice President Susan Shingledecker. 'Jim's long-term commitment to fishing line recycling has allowed the concept and the program to really take hold nationwide. Fishing line can be a tough material to recycle, so Berkley's devotion to this program is noteworthy.'
Beyond Martin's work with Berkley Conservation Institute, he is currently the Chairman of the Policy Council of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership a leading organization working to ensure hunting and fishing access for all Americans. He also is a science and policy advisor for the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and led the development of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, a model state conservation plan.
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