Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution recently received a NOAA Sea Grant award to investigate impacts of ghost fishing gear (net and rope) on cultural heritage, specifically on submerged cultural heritage such as shipwrecks, and to develop means to remove the gear and recycle it if possible.
In collaboration with Center for Coastal Studies Marine Debris & Plastics Program, WHOI will host a series of public roundtable discussions during the month of February regarding shipwrecks in Massachusetts waters and how to mitigate or prevent interactions with fishing gear.
Input from commercial fishermen and other mariners is sought by the research team regarding net removal with the use of special technology like remote operated vehicles with net cutting apparatus, industry engagement and outreach about shipwrecks, and solutions to prevent hangups of gear during harvesting activities.
Roundtable discussions will be held throughout Massachusetts during the month of February and fishermen are invited to attend any or all of them. The meetings are all at 4 pm (except Feb. 25th at 5 pm):
Feb 3, 4 pm: New Bedford – Net Your Problem – 779 Church Street
Feb 5, 4 pm: Provincetown – Center for Coastal Studies – 5 Holway Avenue
Feb 7, 4 pm: Chatham – Fishermen’s Alliance – 1566 Main Street
Feb 10, 4 pm: Woods Hole – WHOI Redfield Auditorium – 45 Water Street
Feb 14, 4 pm: New Bedford – Fishing Heritage Ctr – 38 Bethel Street
Feb 25, 5 pm: Gloucester – Ocean Alliance Paint Factory – 32 Horton Street
Refreshments will be served.