Press release:

WEST MARINE PARTNERS WITH MONOFILAMENT RECOVERY & RECYCLING
PROGRAM (MRRP) OF FLORIDA IN A STATEWIDE EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE
RECYCLING

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (February 5, 2008) - West Marine, Inc., the
country's
largest retailer of boating supplies and accessories, is partnering
with
Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) of Florida by placing
fish
line recycling bins at its Florida West Marine stores.

"Fishing line discarded in our oceans is a major problem affecting sea
life,"
said Geoff Eisenberg, chief executive officer, West Marine. "Through
our
partnership with MRRP of Florida, we are helping address the problem,
while
educating people about the importance of recycling monofilament
line."
According to MRRP, it is estimated that monofilament fishing line will
last in
our oceans for 600 years and could potentially entangle numerous
marine
animals and even endanger boaters, divers and swimmers before it's
broken
down.

To encourage anglers to recycle their fishing line, West Marine is
launching a
Fishing Club Card. When anglers recycle and spool their reels at any
West
Marine store, the sixth reel is free (bulk fishing line only).
Fishing Club Cards
are available at most West Marine stores.

About Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP)
The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) is a statewide
effort
in Florida to educate the public on the problems caused by
monofilament line
left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of
line
recycling bins and drop-off locations in Florida, and to conduct
volunteer
monofilament line cleanup events. The MRRP is supported by federal,
state
and local government agencies, volunteers, non-profit organizations,
academic institutions, private businesses, and environmental groups.
Go to
www.fishinglinerecycling.org for more information about the program.