In March, the Maryland ghost pot retrieval program is scheduled to resume operations for the 2012 season. Conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the program will remove thousands of abandoned crab pots and other debris from the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Office conducted side-scan sonar surveys several years ago and estimated that there were thousands of ghost pots at the bottom of the Bay and its tributaries. Crab pots become lost when buoy lines are cut by powerboat propellers or during storms when the lines may chafe through.
Target areas for the 2012 effort include the North East River, Fairlee Creek, West River, Rhode River, South River, Severn River, Magothy River, Patapsco River, Patuxent River, Upper Tangier sound, Lower Hooper Island, and the Big and Little Annemessex Rivers.
Maryland’s ghost pot retrieval program was launched in 2010 as part of a federally-funded crab disaster recovery grant. In 2010, about 360 watermen removed more than 11,800 pieces of debris from Bay waters.
With one million dollars available, the 2012 program will expand on the 2010 effort, employing more watermen and targeting additional areas.
Maryland commercial fishermen can obtain applications for work by visiting:
dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/news/story.asp?story_id=219&title=2012-Derelict-Gear-Retrieval-Project
Applications must be received by February 24, 2012.
source: MD DNR
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