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Identification, Mapping, and Assessment of Derelict Fishing Gear in the Chesapeake Bay

Background | Partners | Benefits | 2007 | 2005 | Materials, Media, and Photos

 

Background

The Chesapeake Bay blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishery-the nation’s largest-uses traps as the primary method of commercial harvest. Conservative estimates indicate that more than 500,000 crab traps are deployed Bay-wide on a typical day during the peak season. During routine benthic habitat survey operations, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) discovered large numbers of lost or abandoned traps in high value blue crab habitat in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Because these traps are unmarked, yet possibly still fishing, the impacts of these derelict or “ghost traps” in the Bay and its tributaries may be quite damaging.

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Partners

NOAA/NOS/NCCOS; NOAA/NOSCSC;  NOAA/NOS/OCS;  Versar, Inc.;  Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary;  Virginia Marine Resources Commission; University of MD, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory;  Maryland Department of Natural Resources;  Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center;  MD Waterman’s Association/Oyster Recovery Partnership.

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Benefits

  • Removal of an environmental hazard for fish, benthic habitat, and vessel operators
  • Improved management and policy for blue crab stock in Chesapeake Bay
  • Reduced economic hardship for working watermen and fishers and engage them substantively in Bay restoration
  • Community engagement and involvement in solving an environmental problem
  • Improved public access to information and resources on marine debris
  • Restoration and protection of estuarine fisheries and aquatic habitats

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Atlantic Region; 2007

While relatively little is known about the impact of derelict fishing gear in Chesapeake Bay, studies from other regions suggest that crab trap losses in the commercial fishery may have significant implications for resource management. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, NCBO coordinated regional partners in creating its Derelict Fishing Gear Program (DFGP) to evaluate the scope and character of potential fisheries impacts in the Bay.

The NCBO DFGP has established surveys and field experiments to:

  1. Locate, count, and describe condition of derelict traps in Chesapeake Bay
  2. Define trap loss rates and causes
  3. Determine ecosystem impacts of derelict traps including living resources, habitat, and the economy
  4. Develop, evaluate, and implement methods for derelict trap retrieval and loss prevention
  5. Supply regional resource managers with the information required to assist in effectively managing the impacted resources
  6. Provide necessary outreach and education to regional stakeholders

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Atlantic Region; 2005

A pilot project using side scan sonar and other remote sensing and imaging technologies to identify, map, and assess the prevalence and impacts of derelict fishing gear (DFG) and other submerged debris in selected areas of the Chesapeake Bay.

The identification and mapping of DFG and other submerged marine debris is performed using remote sensing (e.g., side scan sonar, magnetometer, and other digital imaging technologies). Study design for the project is informed by consultation with the Northwest Straits Commission. In situ observations for target verification, assessment, and classification are accomplished using underwater videography (drop-down cams, video and sonar equipped remotely operated vehicles), and SCUBA divers assisted by blue wave sonar to vector to targets in low visibility conditions. An assessment of socioeconomic impacts will also be performed in partnership with the University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory .

The results of this pilot project will be used to develop a comprehensive effort to locate and remove detrimental derelict crab pots throughout the Bay.

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Materials, Media, and Photos:

Link to Chesapeake Bay Derelict Fishing Gear Project Fact Sheet

"NOAA, Virginia Institute of Marine Science Announce Plans to Aid Chesapeake Bay Cleanup," Sept. 5, 2006 - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2693.htm

Download the 1-pager handout (pdf 969KB) on this project here.

Map of Chesapeake Bay
Map of Chesapeake Bay. Map courtesy of
NOAA.

Derelict crab trap.
Derelict crab trap removed from Chesapeake Bay. Photo courtesy of S. Giordano, NOAA.

Derelict crab trap
Derelict crab trap removed from Chesapeake Bay. Photo courtesy of S. Giordano, NOAA.

 

This project is housed within NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Office. It has been funded by the Marine Debris Program.

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