For the first time in five years, the lost fishing gear recovery project is being extended to the southeastern part of the coast.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Marine Patrol are partners for the project that has been in place since 2014.
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This is the first time since 2019 a group of commercial fishing crews will be working to locate and remove lost crab pots Marine Patrol District 3, which including areas from Emerald Isle in Carteret County down to Sunset Beach. Work began Monday and is expected to end March 15.
The first part of this year’s project took place in January between Emerald Isle and the Virginia border.
“Lost fishing gear is a common occurrence every year in North Carolina’s sounds due to storms, King Tide events, vandalism, and vessel traffic. This lost gear can become an obstacle to boats, wildlife, and other fishermen and women as it can get hung up or drift into channels,” organizers said.
Long-time commercial fisherman, Joseph Huie Jr. from Sneads Ferry, said in a statement glad to be involved. “It’s important for the blue crab fishery and much more. Without clean waterways, there would be so much at risk.”
Ted Wilgis, Coastal Federation coastal scientist and marine debris program lead, stressed the importance of the project, especially in the southern region.
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“Our region has the only two Diamondback Terrapin Management Areas along the coast, around Masonboro Island Reserve and the marshes below Bald Head Island in the Cape Fear,” Wilgis in a release. “Terrapins live in our estuaries in declining numbers. Unfortunately, they can drown by getting caught in crab pots. Cleaning up lost pots and fishermen adapting their pots to exclude terrapins are vital things being done to help protect this important species.”
The project funded by the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Grant Program is part of the Marine Debris Action Plan and the Coastal Federation’s overall effort to keep the coast free of marine debris. The annual paid program for marine debris removal, including crab pots, is a significant objective of the N.C. Marine Debris Strategic Plan.
The Coastal Federation publishes Coastal Review.
