Reclaim crab pots recovered in the northeast until Feb. 18

Whole crab pots in good condition recovered in the northeast during the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s eighth annual Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project last month can now be reclaimed with proper identification.

Two dozen commercial watermen and women spent several days in January retrieving lost crab pots from the sounds in the northeast and central regions of the coast as part of the annual project funded this year by North Carolina General Assembly.

Recovered crab pots with an identifiable buoy that could be used again were set aside during the cleanup project in the northeast region, which includes from the Virginia state line, Manteo to Swan Quarter, and areas from the Outer Banks to Ocracoke.

To claim ownership of any of the gear can make an appointment with Sara Hallas, the Coastal Federation’s northeast coastal education coordinator based at the Wanchese office. Appointments are available on weekdays from Feb. 1-18. To schedule an appointment call, 252-473-1607.

Any gear left unclaimed will be recycled to the best extent possible.

This project is part of the Coastal Federation’s overall effort to ensure a North Carolina coast that’s free of marine debris. Establishing an annual paid program for marine debris removal, including crab pots, is a key objective of the N.C. Marine Debris Strategic Plan.

For more information on the progress of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project over past years, visit the website.