The ocean foundation will implement large scale impactful removals of lost or abandoned derelict fishing gear with local coastal fishing communities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $1,513,141 Cooperative Agreement to The Ocean Foundation under the CFDA 11.999 Marine Debris Program. The 4-year project will implement large-scale removals of lost or abandoned derelict fishing gear, with a goal of 200 removals to collect an estimated 160,000 lbs of debris from the seafloor in the U.S. Caribbean. The project will also develop outreach and education activities with local fishers and rangers, implement a fishing gear trade-in program, and pilot an alternative disposal method to recycle the recovered marine debris into plastic pellets. The project aims to prevent the reaccumulation of derelict fishing gear and move towards a circular economy for plastics in the U.S. Caribbean region.

During the 4-year project duration a total of 200 removals will remove an estimated 160,000 LBS of debris from the sea floor. As part of the prevention strategy to reduce derelict fishing gear, outreach and education activities will be developed in partnership with local fishers and dner rangers as a major outreach and education component coupled with an alternative innovative disposal method. A fishing gear (TRAPS) trade-in program will be implemented in coordination with legal trap regulation educational outreach to prevent and deter the use of illegal fishing TRAPS and the reaccumulation of marine debris into the future. Lastly, an alternative disposal method for illegal fishing gear will be piloted in partnership with reciclaje DEL norte INC. And EL museo DEL reciclaje to create marine debris into recycled plastic pellets and begin the venture into the circular economy for plastics in the US caribbean.