After three years of careful planning, the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) Marine Debris & Plastics Program, in partnership with the Town of Hull and with support from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), is launching an ambitious, three-day “adventure” cleanup of a rugged, debris-heavy stretch of Hull’s northeast shoreline.
This critical environmental initiative targets a half-mile section of coast that has for decades acted as a collection point for fishing gear debris brought in by tides, currents, and storms. The area is currently impacted by hundreds of broken lobster traps, tons of marine rope, and vast quantities of dock foam and Styrofoam.
Cleaning this specific section of the shoreline is a physically demanding task. Much of the accumulated debris is heavily ensnared in poison ivy and boulders, and the terrain is complicated by the presence of sharp metal and broken glass. In addition, disposing of the tons of fishing gear is costly. A small grant from the MA DMF to support gear disposal and the collaboration with the Town of Hull make this project possible.
“This is not a casual beach walk; this is a complex recovery and disposal project,” said Laura Ludwig, Director of the CCS Marine Debris & Plastics Program. “The accumulation here is significant, and it will take a coordinated, focused effort to clear this site and properly dispose of or recycle thousands of pounds of debris.”
The debris extraction will take place on April 27, 28 and 29, 2026. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Those interested in joining the effort are encouraged to contact Program Director Laura Ludwig directly to register or for further information:
Contact: Laura Ludwig, Program Director
Email: lludwig@coastalstudies.org
About the Center for Coastal Studies
Now celebrating its 50th year, the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA is a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding, preserving and protecting marine ecosystems and the coastal environment through applied research, education and public policy initiatives. For more information go to www.coastalstudies.org.
Photo at top: Hull resident Jackie Ranney with a typical lobster trap enmeshed on the targeted shoreline.