NC Fishermen Remove 24,000 Lost Crab Pots Since 2014

Twenty-one commercial fishermen are diving into North Carolina's coastal waters this month to tackle a problem most people never see: thousands of abandoned crab pots threatening wildlife and local fishing communities.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation launched its 12th annual Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project in January, continuing a cleanup mission that has pulled more than 24,000 lost crab pots from state waters since 2014. This year's effort focuses on the northeast and central coast regions.

Lost crab pots create serious hazards for marine animals, boats, and working fishermen. They continue catching crabs and other creatures long after they're abandoned, disrupting the ecosystem and hurting local fisheries that families depend on for their livelihoods.

The timing is strategic. Crews work during the annual January closure when fishing with crab pots is prohibited north of the Highway 58 bridge to Emerald Isle. Last year alone, commercial watermen and the North Carolina Marine Patrol recovered 2,136 pots across three marine districts.

The Ripple Effect

This project does more than remove debris. Recovered crab pots get recycled whenever possible, keeping materials out of landfills. Owners who lost gear in the Albemarle and Pamlico Sound region can reclaim their property after the cleanup wraps up.

Joe Speight, a Kitty Hawk fisherman who has participated for years, sees the bigger picture. "I'm glad to be involved and do my part to keep the sounds clean," he said. "It's important for the blue crab fishery and much more. Without clean waterways, there would be so much at risk."

The crews work between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on days when weather cooperates. Each team spends three to five days throughout January searching designated areas, using their expert knowledge of local waters to locate lost gear.

Sara Hallas Hemilright, the Federation's coastal education coordinator, praised the collaboration. "Our commercial fishers are true experts of the local waters, and it's an honor to work alongside them to ensure the success of this cleanup and recovery effort," she said.

The project receives funding from the North Carolina Commercial Fishing License Resource Fund Program. The money supports goals outlined in the state's Marine Debris Action Plan: cleaner marine habitats, better water quality, and a stronger coastal economy that benefits everyone who lives, works, and plays along North Carolina's shores.

Twelve years of dedication is proving that fishermen are some of the ocean's best protectors.