The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, MA, will conduct surveys and removal of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, also known as “ghost gear,” during the North Atlantic right whale closure period in the Massachusetts Restricted Area in state waters.
From February 1st through May 1st annually, Massachusetts state waters are closed to fixed-gear fishing (lobster gear) to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales who feed in the area.
This is the tenth year of the CCS ghost gear removal program in Massachusetts. The 2025 project is supported by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program. Funding in part has also been provided by the Bilezikian Family Foundation.
The CCS mapping team will conduct side-scan sonar surveys to identify targets in areas identified by fishermen as likely locations for ghost gear in Cape Cod Bay, Boston Harbor, and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The CCS Field team will work with commercial lobstermen authorized by the MA Division of Marine Fisheries to grapple and recover the gear. Recovered fishing gear will be landed at piers in Provincetown, Boston, and Sandwich. All recovered debris will be sorted, inventoried, and documented. Gear in working condition will be returned to owners whenever possible. Other debris will be disposed of properly through recycling or incineration.
Over 86 tons of ghost gear have been removed from Cape Cod Bay since annual removal efforts began in 2013. On average, 80% of traps recovered are intact and since 2013, 857 lobster traps were returned to their owners.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Ludwig, Director
Marine Debris & Plastics Program
207-263-5300
lludwig@coastalstudies.org
Owen Nichols, Field Work Lead
Director, Marine Fisheries Research Program
508-237-1094
nichols@coastalstudies.org
Fritz McGirr, Boston Lead
Marine Debris & Plastics Program
269-921-8392
fmcgirr@coastalstudies.org