The Habitat Restoration Program (HRP) at Biscayne National Park recently completed its eighth annual derelict trap and debris removal project, which aims to remove abandoned lobster and crap traps, rope, and other debris that all too often litter our beautiful reefs. This debris harms reef resources by crushing, breaking, and smothering reef structure, associated organisms, and cultural resources on the reef. The visitor experience is diminished when divers and snorkelers encounter reefs strewn with debris. The HRP worked with contracted biologists and commercial divers from TetraTech to remove traps and debris from reefs in the park. The project was conducted with authorization from the state of Florida, as special permission is required to handle fishing gear. This years catch, collected over three days in July, included 3 miles of line, 61 intact lobster and crab traps, and over 50 pieces of other debris including trap parts, trash, and random junk. In addition, 5 illegal artificial habitats, known locally as “casitas” and used to attract and harvest lobsters and stone crabs, were discovered and removed. In this year’s project, 18 lobsters, 5 stone crabs, 3 octopus, and numerous fishes were released live from derelict traps before the traps were removed. Unfortunately, debris removal is seemingly a never ending task. Many reefs in the park have not yet been “cleaned”, and fishing gear and debris continues to accumulate on the reefs that have been cleaned. Pending the availability of funding, derelict trap and debris clean-up will be scheduled for the summer of 2015 and into the future. This ongoing reef cleanup program is just one way the NPS attempts to manage marine debris in the park. Other efforts involve the work of staff, partner agencies, students, and volunteers to tackle debris in the bay, on mangrove shorelines and on sea turtle nesting beaches (VLM).
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:05:00 +0000
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