Ghost Pot Partnership

Researchers with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are working with local watermen and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to remove "ghost" crab pots from Chesapeake Bay. Many of the recovered pots have been derelict for several years, and continue to inadvertently trap and kill crabs and a variety of fish and wildlife. During the winter of 2009-2010, the watermen recovered more than 9,000 crab pots, along with 113 eel pots, 31 abandoned nets, and 535 pieces of other debris, including anchors, some old waders and even a plastic deck chair. Visit ccrm.vims.edu/marine_debris_removal for details.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• marine debris
• derelict crab pots
• watermen
• Chesapeake Bay
• NOAA
• VIMS
• VMRC

[minty737]

They are NOT "farmers of the water". Farmers produce food and then harvest/collect it. These fishermen are gathering what is found in the ocean and depleting natural resources. There is a difference. However, this project looks great, and I hope the fishermen working in it learn something too.