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Watermen to Collect Abandoned Crab Pots

Fish like these Atlantic croaker, and other sea life, get trapped in derelict crab pots and die.

Abandoned crab pots in the Bay can be deadly for turtles, crabs and fish that make their way inside, get trapped, and starve. Now, Maryland’s state highway agency is looking for watermen to help collect these so-called “ghost” crab pots.

The project is being run by Oyster Recovery Partnership for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA). They plan to hire about 25 commercial watermen who live and work in the Upper Bay area.

SHA is funding the project to offset the environmental impact that will come from the Route 40 bridge replacement projects on the Gunpowder and Lower Gunpowder Rivers.

Watermen will collect ghost pots from a 3,000-acre area at the mouth of the Gunpowder, using long lines and grappling hooks.

If you or a waterman you know wants to apply to participate, email Kelly Barnes at the Oyster Recovery Partnership: [email protected]