Ghost fishing lobster traps target of study
Last Updated: Friday, July 30, 2010 | 7:45 AM AT
CBC News
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is working with P.E.I. fishermen to prevent the ghost fishing of lobster by lost traps.
The study is focusing on alternative lobster trap designs that would not stay shut if they were lost. (CBC) Michel Comeau, who is working on the project for DFO, told CBC News this week it is not uncommon to find lost traps at the bottom of the ocean with 30 pounds of lobster in them.
"This is something that is destroying animals without having the benefit of going through a fishery," said Comeau.
The most common way traps are lost is for storm action to break the lines between them and the marker buoys.
DFO has partnered with the province and the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association to find the best way to construct lobster traps so they won't keep fishing when lost.
It's a three-year, $30,000 project. The funding is coming from Ottawa as part of its new Atlantic sustainability rationalization plan. In recent years, sustainability has become an increasingly important aspect of the lobster fishery.
"They were receiving a lot of pressure globally and from a lot of different corporations to make sure their fish are fished sustainably," said Laura Ramsay of PEIFA, which has recruited volunteer fishermen for the project.
Current traps not working as they should
Tests are being done on some new biodegradable features, with a focus on what keeps the trap closed. Many of the traps used by Island fishermen have an iron ring to keep the trap shut. If the trap is lost, the ring should rust in about a month and let the lobster out. Research has found that works sometimes, but in many cases those rings hold up too well.
"We found some traps about three and four years [old] that was lost, and they were still very effective," said Comeau.
One alternative being tested to keep the traps closed is cotton twine.
"We know that the twine in some instance will disintegrate in about a month," said Comeau.
"This looks very promising. So it seems to be something that will be recommended."
The study will be finished by December.
