Abstract
Ghost fishing is a term used to describe abandoned and lost fishing gear that catches marine life. One common type of derelict fishing gear in Mississippi Sound are Blue Crab traps. Derelict crab traps are the result of a combination of factors, but not limited to frequent storms, boat traffic, vandalism, deterioration, and negligent trap owners. Accumlation of derelict crab traps has negative impacts on the ecosystem and the fishing industry. Crab traps tend to accumulate marine life over long periods of time due to feedback loops of marine life getting trapped and baiting in other marine life. In the fishing industry, commercial shrimpers may catch derelict crab traps in their trawls causing holes, lost time, and lower catch yields resulting in negative monetary impacts. Historically, traps caught by commercial shrimpers have been discarded back into the water causing further issues. In 2019 and through funding from the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, the Mississippi State University Extension Center partnered with Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, Mississippi Coalition for Vietnamese-American Fisher Folks and Families, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program to develop a derelict crab trap incentive program. Commercial shrimpers with valid licensing can sign up and will receive a $5 per trap incentive for every trap that is brought inshore and placed at one of four collection sites along the Mississippi Coast. They are also required to turn in a data card showing the location of each caught trap. The goal of this program is to create a healthier, safer, and more profitable Mississippi Sound. This program collected 1,294 traps in 2019 and approximately 500 traps to date in 2020. The prevalence of derelict traps appears to be decreasing in Mississippi Sound. The results indicate that this program may be more cost effective on a biannual or triennial basis.
