Marine Debris Plunder Registration

Rules and Regulations:

The most important rule is to obey our Maryland Natural Resource Law:

NR 4 505: Removing fish, nets, or gear of another prohibited. A person may not molest, disturb, destroy, or catch and carry away fish belonging to another person from any boat, live box, crab pot, trot line, or the pocket or crib of any pound net or enclosed or gilled in any fish net of any kind, or take or carry away any net or gear belonging to another person used in catching fish.

You NEED TO RECOGNIZE a live crab pot or eel trap from an abandoned one.

Commercial crabbing is still in effect in our bays during this event. This video will help you understand live crab pots (which you CANNOT TOUCH) and ghost pots (which you can collect)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THOHiDmZy-w

We treasure our watermen and they are an important economical component in our coastal bays, so it is crucial that you respect and do not tamper with any live gear. Should you have any questions while you are collecting trash, please call us or text a picture while you are out on the water to confirm you are not tampering with live gear, 443-783-5293.

The second most important rule is to stay safe. Boaters will be provided with a few items (while supplies last) to retrieve debris which we would like to have returned:

• Pole with a hook
• Dip Net
• Tarp
• 5 Gallon Bucket
• 1 pair of hearty gloves
• Clipboard and Pens and paperwork to document your loot.
• Safety Vests

You will also be provided with burlap bags to place your trash in, masks for the event.

Land Lubbers will be provided Burlap Bags, disposable gloves, masks, and safety vests. We would appreciate the vests back. You can record your loot on your cell phone to the data collection form, or we will be more than happy to provide you with paperwork and a clipboard.

Retrieving debris on water or land can be a little treacherous. In the event you find debris that is difficult to retrieve, document the coordinates and we will attempt to find a better equipped source, at a later date, to retrieve what is too difficult to pull.

Here is a blog that explains ghost pots and their impact on our waterways

https://www.lafishblog.com/ghost-pots/

The most important rule is to have fun and feel great about participating in an event to reduce debris in our waterways!

Once you have completed your clean up, bring your loot either by boat or by land to the weigh in located at the West Ocean City Public Boat Ramp off of Golf Course Road. There are several boat slips that will allow you to pull up temporarily while volunteers will grab your loot, paperwork, supplies and retrieve your event shirts you requested in your registration.

Captain Jack Sparrow will be on hand to entertain you while our volunteers are working to unload your loot and provide your shirts.

Please contact sandis@mdcoastalbays.org with any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

Volunteer

WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

1. In consideration for receiving permission to participate in the Inaugural Marine Debris Plunder (“activity”) Saturday, October 22nd. I hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation, Orsted, Skipjack and its officers, servants, agents and employees (hereinafter referred to as "releasees") from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or relating to any loss, damage or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, whether caused by the negligence of the releasees, or otherwise, while participating in the Activity, or while in, on or upon the premises where the Activity is being conducted, while in transit to or from the premises, or in any place or places connected with the Activity.
2. I am fully aware of risks and hazards connected with being on the premises and participating in the Activity, and I am fully aware that there may be risks and hazards unknown to me connected with being on the premises and participating in the Activity, and I hereby elect to voluntarily participate in the Activity, to enter upon the above named premises and engage in activities knowing that conditions may be hazardous, or may become hazardous or dangerous to me and my property. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of loss, property damage or personal injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage to property owned by me, as a result of my being a participant in the Activity, whether caused by the negligence of releasees or otherwise.
3. I further hereby agree to indemnify and save and hold harmless the releasees and each of them, from any loss, liability, damage or costs they may incur due to my participation in the Activity, whether caused by the negligence of any or all of the releasees, or otherwise.
4. It is my express intent that this Release shall bind the members of my family and spouse, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personal representative, if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a Release, Waiver, Discharge and Covenant Not to Sue the above named releasees.

I acknowledge and represent that:

1. I have read the foregoing release, understand it, and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed;
2. No oral representation, statements or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made;
3. I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent. If not 18, parental signature will be provided; and
4. I execute this Release for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by same.

Photo Waiver

1. I give Maryland Coastal Bays the irrevocable right to use my picture, portrait or photograph in all forms, media and manners, without restriction as to changes or alterations, for advertising, trade, promotion, exhibition, or any other lawful purposes.
2. I waive any right to inspect or approve the photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photographs.