This sounds like a great project. I hope it works out.
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Commercial Fishermen Needed to
Remove Marine Debris - The N. C. Coastal Federation is accepting
applications for fishermen to help get marine debris out of the water this
winter.
In January 2014, the federation and
the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will begin a pilot project to remove
abandoned fishing gear from northeastern North Carolina waters. With a grant
from NOAA and North Carolina Sea Grant, commercial watermen will be employed to
help N.C. Marine Patrol during the period when the wire mesh crab pots are
supposed to be out of the water, typically from Jan. 15-Feb. 7. This project is
intended to improve habitat and water quality and support commercial watermen
in northeastern North Carolina.
The collection will take place from
the Currituck Sound southward to Oregon Inlet, including parts of the Albemarle
Sound. Local fishermen with knowledge of these waters will be given preference.
Side-scan sonar will be used on a limited number of boats to detect
abandoned gear underwater.
To qualify, fishermen must have
filed at least one commercial landing trip ticket with the division's Trip
Ticket Program within the past year. Fishermen will receive $300 per day,
and their mates will receive $100 per day. Three days of work are guaranteed
with acceptance to the program. About 12 fishermen will be accepted, and
volunteers are also needed.
Applications are due on Oct. 15.
Participants will be notified of acceptance by Nov. 1.
2 comments:
I like the fact that it is the fishermen that will be going around collecting the debris for those three days. It gives them incentive to come out and clean up as well as learning how to manage their fishing practices in a more efficient and safe way.
This is a great article. This project is a great idea and I'm happy that fisher men have the opportunity to get in on the action to clean since they are dependent on marine resources. It would be nice if they (fishermen) participated out of responsibility rather than incentive. Either way its a great project and well fishermen have families to care for.
All the best to N.C Coastal Federal with this project.
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