Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is working under 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 the Center for Coastal Studies Marine Debris & Plastics Program, WHOI will host a series of public roundtable discussions during the months of February and March 2026 regarding shipwrecks in Massachusetts waters and how to mitigate or prevent interactions with fishing gear. Five such roundtables were held in 2025 and dozens of fishermen participated with constructive feedback.
Additional input from commercial fishermen and other mariners is sought by the research team regarding net removal using 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 months of February and March and fishermen familiar with wrecks or fisheries are invited to attend any or all of them. The meeting schedule is as follows:
Feb 13 Provincetown, 9am at Far Land Provisions
Feb 20 Chatham, 9am at Three Fins Coffee
March 20 Gloucester
March 27 New Bedford