Assessing and Removing Derelict Crab Pots from a Recreational Fishery in Delaware

The University of Delaware led the removal of derelict crab pots from heavily used recreational fishing areas in Delaware’s Indian River Bay. 

Type of Project: Removal

Region: Mid-Atlantic 

Project Dates: September 2020 - August 2022

Who was involved?

The University of Delaware's Coastal Sediments, Hydrodynamics, and Engineering Lab and Delaware Sea Grant collaborated with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Mobile Surf-fishing Fishermen Club, Center for Inland Bays, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and others to recruit volunteers and remove derelict recreational crab pots during the closure of blue crab fishing seasons. 

What was the project and why is it important?

Derelict blue crab pots can have a variety of impacts to the environment and the economy, creating navigational hazards, damaging habitats, and continuing to capture marine species, also known as ghost fishing. When derelict pots ghost fish, they can compete with active gear and reduce the catch of fisheries. Recovering these crab pots and other debris from this area can reduce the impacts of derelict gear to the economy, as well as the potential for ghost fishing of local species, including summer founder, bluefish, Atlantic striped bass, and diamondback terrapin.

The University of Delaware and Delaware Sea Grant hosted volunteer-based “round-up” events in Indian River Bay during closed recreational crabbing seasons, which span from December through February each year. Before each year’s event, the University of Delaware identified the location of derelict recreational crab pots using side-scan sonars mounted to shallow draft boats and an unmanned autonomous vehicle. 

What were the results? 

With the support of volunteers, partners removed 174 derelict crab pots weighing over 3,000 pounds, from Delaware’s Inland Bays. They also designed and implemented two exhibits on recreational derelict crab pots in Delaware’s Inland Bays. One highlighted prior and upcoming derelict crab pot round-ups, and responsible recreational crabbing methods. The second was made from crab pots refurbished by volunteers, and displayed at the Delaware State Fair grounds.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.