Save the Sound 2014 is a grassroots organization whose mission is to increase awareness of the devastating effects that derelict fishing gear causes to the Puget Sound.
Derelict gear comes in many forms. It may be in a lost shrimp or crab pot or worse yet a gillnet. Crab and shrimp pots are used by both recreational and commercial fisherman. Gillnets however are only allowed, by law, to be used by commercial and tribal fishermen.
Since gillnets cause the most damage (in our estimation) we will explain their impact. Gillnets are constructed of nylon and are deployed in lengths of several hundred yards. They are weighted at the bottom thus forming a large nylon mesh wall that fish will swim into. As the fish swims into the net its head protrudes through the hole but it can swim no further. However the fish is now trapped because the net snares around the gills. Due to this gillnets are highly effective and provide for easy bounties. The downside however is that these super efficient nets also capture non-targeted fish species, marine mammals and birds.
However these devices are even more troubling if they are lost by the fisherman. These nets may become disconnected from their buoys and sink into the water. But they keep on fishing unattended and are referred to as “ghost nets”. The fish that trapped in the nets die and attract other species such as crab, seals and birds. These animals subsequently get stuck in the net as well and typically die.
These nets also catch other species such as porpoises and whales. These problems are common anywhere in the world that employs gillnets. Sadly many people are even aware that this problem exists. But you can help!
Spread the word that this is happening. In this modern day social media is king. Share articles, pictures and videos of what is happening our our Puget Sound (and greater World Oceans). This video produced by The Great Whale Conservancy shows how a whale that was ensnared in a gillnet in Mexico was freed by a group of amazing people:
You can also contribute to great organizations such as the Northwest Straits Initiative. This organization does amazing work to remove derelict gear from Puget Sound waters. To date they have removed of over 4,600 nets, 3,700 crab pots and 47 shrimp pots. Please see their http://www.derelictgear.org/Progress.aspx
In our next post we will examine these topics deeper
Save The Sound! 