BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 19, 2022
A nonprofit conservation group that works to help remove trash and plastic debris from the world’s oceans along with volunteers from Maine’s coastal communities recently recovered nearly 5,000 pounds of what is known as “ghost gear” from the Gulf of Maine. Any fishing equipment, such as ropes, lobster traps, buoys, nets and other staples of Maine’s fisheries can turn into ghost gear after being abandoned, lost or discarded at sea. Some estimate there are as many as 30,000 traps lost every year in local waters. This marine debris can pose significant risks to sea life, and contributes to the buildup of microplastics in the environment.