Ghost Pots
Since 2009 MCBP has worked on programs to hire watermen to retrieve abandoned crab pots, referred to as ghost pots. These ghost pots have the tendency to continue to capture animals for several years, causing high rates of by-catch and self-baiting. By-catch include numerous fish species, Diamondback terrapins, ducks, and otters.
In 2019, the program received funding to coordinate a “Ghost Pot Rodeo,” a community initiative to educate residents on the perils of abandoned pots and encourage them to participate in a retrieval program. The Rodeo has morphed into a Marine Debris Plunder. This year’s event will be held October 2.
MCBP now has a Marine Debris Committee, working on a program for volunteers to collect debris by land or by sea.
Anyone interested in joining a committee to help organize and promote this event, please contact sandis@mdcoastalbays.org.