California Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Pilot Project

Kirsten Gilardi

SeaDoc Society

Wildlife Health Center

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Derelict fishing gear:

Recreational or commercial fishing gear that is lost or abandoned in the marine environment

• Persists in the marine environment

• Entangles divers and swimmers

• Traps and wounds or kills invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals

• Degrades marine ecosystems and sensitive habitats

• Damages propellers and rudders, snags other fishing gear

• Endangers boat crews and passengers

Why is derelict fishing gear a problem?

Jerry Allen, www.uwshooter.com

Model programs in US: Hawaii

Model programs in US:Washington State

• Started in 2002

• Puget Sound and NW Straits

• >1000 nets, pots and traps removed to date

Derelict fishing gear in California:

• Every year DFG fields complaints from crab fishermen that derelict pots are affecting their ability to fish

- Bob Farrell, Dept. fo Fish and Game

• Underwater surveying equipment frequently gets snagged on derelict gear, especially in Southern California.

- Ed Saade, Fugro Pelagros, Inc.

• Wildlife rehabilitators treat hundreds of marine birds and mammals with derelict-gear related injuries year-round.

- Marty Haulena, Marine Mammal Center ; Melanie Piazza, Wildlife Care

• Derelict gear is seen every time Cordell Bank is surveyed- Dan Howard, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

• Permits/MOUs• Form technical

advisory committee• Write and test SOPs• Create website• Survey for gear, build

database• Identify divers and

vessels for removal operations, train crew

• Remove gear

California Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Pilot Project, July 2005 - June 2006:

SeaDoc Society + State Coastal Conservancy

Photo courtesy of Cordell Bank NMS

 

Diver surveys

Sidescan sonar

Reports from individuals (e.g. fishermen, divers, boat operators): online, hotline

Sidescan or divers to verify location, as necessary

Prioritize gear for removal

Gear Location

 

• Excel files with GPS-referenced location data linked to Nobeltec™ navigation software

• Divers (free, SCUBA, surface-supplied air) +/-two-way radio

• On-board hydraulic winch, float bags, cutting tools

Gear Removal

 • Gear type• Legal/illegal• Biological impacts• Owner identification• Status (removed,

disabled)

Data Collection

 

• Repatriate gear identifiable to owner

• Recycle if possible

• Dispose at landfills  

Gear Disposal

kvgilardi@ucdavis.edu

(530) 752-4896

www.seadocsociety.org

Thank you!