Ghost Pot Removal and Loss Prevention Program

Ghost Pots are lost or abandoned crab traps that catch and kill crabs, and other marine life unnecessarily. Partnering with VIMS-CCRM, NAPS started a program to remove lost pots and abandoned pots from the waters of Northumberland County, Virginia. Beyond finding derelict traps, NAPS' program additionally is exploring how to reduce the loss of pots in the first place, which improves the waters, and the profits of the waterman that provide seafood to our communities.

Winter Projects

Each year we use a team of citizen scientists to find and pull ghost pots. The project runs from January 1 - March 15. Our crews run in 2-5 hour shifts bringing in 5 -20 pots per run. This work is done in conjunction with VIMS-CCRM Marine Debris Program (funded by NOAA), and permitted by VMRC. Our work boats have been donated by the community, and the project is 100% volunteer work.

Grant Work

We are working to identify, rig, and test new technologies that Watermen (Crabbers) could use on their boats to find and retrieve lost pots in a 3-6 mins consistently. Crabbers can lose up to 20% of their pots each year. Between the loss of the pot, and the catch inside, this is equivalent of approximately $6,000 that we hope to reduce. This will significantly reduce the morality rate of marine life that die trapped in abandoned pots.