Ghost Pots are lost or abandoned crab traps that catch and kill crabs and other marine life unnecessarily. Partnering with Virginia Institute of Marine Science Center for Coastal Resources Management (VIMS-CCRM), NAPS launched a program to remove lost and abandoned pots from the waters of Northumberland County, Virginia. In addition to finding derelict traps, NAPS’ program is exploring how to reduce the loss of crab pots in the first place, which will increase the catch and profit to the local waterman who provide seafood to our community and beyond.
Winter Projects
Each year we use a team of citizen scientists to find and pull ghost pots. The project runs from January 1 – March 15. Our crews run in 2 to 5 hour shifts bringing in 5 to 20 pots per run. This work is done in conjunction with VIMS-CCRM Marine Debris Program (funded by NOAA), and permitted by VMRC. Our work boats have been donated by the community, and the project is 100% volunteer work.
Grant Work
We are working to identify, rig, and test new technologies that Watermen (Crabbers) could use on their boats to find and retrieve lost pots in a 3-6 mins consistently. Crabbers lose up to 20% of their pots each year. Between the loss of the pot, and the catch inside, this is equivalent of approximately $6,000 that we hope to reduce. This will significantly reduce the mortality rate of marine life that die trapped in abandoned pots.
For more information or to join the ghost pot removal team, visit https://www.napsva.org/join-help
