A haunting problem lurks beneath the waves off the coast of Maine. It's a hidden menace, a silent threat to our oceans and the fishing industry. But fear not, for there are brave souls on a mission to tackle this issue head-on.
Emma Weed, a program manager at the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF), has taken up the challenge of hunting down "ghost gear" - lost or abandoned fishing equipment that wreaks havoc on our marine ecosystems. This gear, ranging from traps to nets, poses a significant threat, snagging commercial gear, polluting the water, and disrupting fishing activities.
The most terrifying example? A "gear ball" - a massive collection of debris that can weigh up to an astonishing 56,000 pounds! It's like a mythical sea creature, growing larger with each passing tide, swallowing up anything in its path.
"It's a sea monster," Weed describes, "grabbing anything within its reach. It's usually rope, traps, all sorts of things that were once separate. But the tides and currents twist them together, dragging active gear into its grasp."
Weed and her team are working closely with Maine fishermen as part of the Gear Grab initiative. This multi-organizational effort aims to remove this hazardous gear from the seafloor and coastal communities.
"Our mission is to collaborate with the fisheries," Weed explains, "to identify and address this problem. We want to understand how it impacts their catches and find ways to mitigate the damage."
The scale of the issue is staggering. Globally, it's estimated that at least 10% of marine litter is fishing waste. The World Wide Fund For Nature (WWFN) reports that each year, 5.7% of fishing nets, 8.6% of traps, and a whopping 29% of fishing lines are lost worldwide. That's between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear entering our oceans annually!
In the Gulf of Maine alone, an estimated 175,000 lobster traps are lost each year. This gear represents not only a financial loss for fishermen but also a hazard to marine life and the environment. Derelict gear can snag other equipment, hinder navigation, and continue to trap sea creatures, including unintended species.
Devyn Campbell, a fisherman from Boothbay Harbor, has been involved in ghost gear removal for years. He emphasizes the importance of this work, stating, "You feel pretty good getting that much plastic. Many people don't realize the trouble it can cause."
Campbell explains how the synthetic materials, like the PVC coating on lobster traps, break down into microplastics, further polluting our waters and marine food chains.
The Gear Grab program, facilitated by GOMLF, involves around 40 fishermen. They work tirelessly to clean up gear from the seafloor, coastlines, and even homes. The removed equipment is then disposed of in local landfills and recycling centers, ensuring proper waste management.
Weed highlights that the program operates from late fall to early spring, with significant progress made since October. The team has removed approximately 45 to 55 tons of material along the Maine coast, and Campbell aims to haul around 30 to 40 traps daily.
"It's great to be out on the water during this time," Campbell says. "It helps a lot in the winter, and it's the perfect time to do it. There's no active gear to worry about, and most live traps are out of the way. So, we can focus on towing up all the ghost gear."
Campbell's work often takes him nearshore, searching for gear nestled in valleys or the backs of ridges after storms. He uses a grapple with steel prongs attached to a heavy chain, making multiple passes to retrieve as much gear as possible.
In addition to fishing gear, Campbell has made some unusual finds, including a 600-pound anchor, giant lobsters stuck in traps, electrical cables, and numerous tires.
Even fishermen not directly involved in the project contribute by providing tips and coordinates where they suspect gear might be located.
"Fishermen are out on the water the most," Weed says. "They know where things are and when it's safe to go. We want to compensate them for their time and expertise in locating and removing this gear."
For Weed, this work is deeply personal. Coming from a family of Stonington-area fishermen and waterfront workers spanning over 10 generations, she understands the importance of supporting the fishing community and preserving the ocean they depend on.
"I want to showcase the fishermen I grew up knowing, the stewards of the ocean," she says. "Together, we can lift each other up and show how they are an integral part of the solution."
This initiative is a powerful example of collaboration between organizations, fishermen, and communities to tackle a pressing environmental issue. By removing ghost gear, they not only protect our oceans but also ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry and the well-being of marine life.
So, the next time you enjoy a seafood meal, remember the dedicated individuals working to keep our oceans clean and healthy.
