About the Program
Northwest Straits Derelict Fishing Gear Assessment, Recovery, Training and Outreach Project
There are literally thousands of tons of derelict fishing gear in the marine waters of Puget Sound. Similar problems exist in other regions of the country where commercial and recreational fishing occurs.
Derelict fishing gear, a type of marne debris, includes lost and abandoned commercial and recreational nets, pots, traps, and other gear.
Derelict fishing gear presents safety, liability, nuisance and environmental impact issues in marine waters. Identifying and safely removing derelict fishing gear can reduce these impacts.
The Derelict Fishing Gear Assessment, Recovery, Training and Outreach Program was initiated in Puget Sound, Washington in 2002, and is a Northwest Straits Commission activity funded by NOAA. Since 2002, the Commission has developed the marine debris removal program, and developed and tested protocols for removing derelict fishing gear from the waters of northwest Washington. The next phases of the project include:
- a diver training program
- a program liaison to expand the program to other regions of the country
- continued removal operations in Puget Sound
- coordination with a national outreach effort
These activities will begin in August 2005 and continue through September 2006. Over 73 acres (over 3.15 million square feet) of habitat have already been restored in Puget Sound waters.
The derelict fishing gear marine debris removal program, developed by the Northwest Straits Commission and Natural Resource Consultants, Inc., is a comprehensive approach to the problem of derelict fishing gear. It will benefit fisheries management and encourage complementary efforts to restore the nation’s coastal areas. Continued recovery of gear will reduce the loss of valuable marine resources and promote the recovery of critical habitat for ecosystem function and will provide the opportunity for a real life demonstration and training for programs from other regions.
Partners include the U.S. Navy, Washington Department of Ecology; Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources; Puget Sound Action Team; tribal governments; and the Marine Resources Committees of the Northwest Straits region.
This project is funded through NOAA's Fisheries Service, Alaska Science Center.
