Beneath the serene waters of the Maine coast, a hidden menace lurks, wreaking havoc on the marine ecosystem. It's not a mythical sea monster, but something far more insidious—ghost gear. The haunting tale of abandoned fishing equipment is a growing concern, and Emma Weed is on a mission to tackle it.
Ghost gear refers to the fishing traps, nets, and various equipment that have been lost or abandoned in the ocean, transforming into underwater monsters. These marine chimeras, or gear balls, can weigh a staggering 56,000 pounds, ensnaring anything in their path. But here's where it gets controversial—these monsters are man-made.
Weed, a program manager at the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF), collaborates with local fishermen to hunt down and remove this ghost gear. She explains how these marine chimeras form: 'It's like a sea monster, gathering rope, traps, and other debris, all entangled by tides and currents.' The largest gear ball found in the Boothbay Region weighed an impressive 3,700 pounds.
The problem is global, with fishing waste accounting for at least 10% of marine litter, according to the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWFN). Annually, millions of tons of fishing gear are lost, including nets, traps, and lines. In the Gulf of Maine alone, approximately 175,000 lobster traps go missing each year.
This lost gear not only represents a financial loss but also poses a significant environmental threat. It can ensnare and kill marine life, hinder navigation, and pollute the water with synthetic materials. Devyn Campbell, a Boothbay Harbor fisherman, emphasizes the issue: 'Many don't realize the trouble it can cause. That vinyl coating breaks down into microplastics.'
Campbell has been an integral part of the ghost gear removal effort, working with GOMLF since 2025. He and a team of fishermen clean up the seafloor, coastlines, and even homes, disposing of the derelict gear responsibly. If the gear is still usable, Campbell makes an effort to return it to its rightful owners.
The project is funded by various sources, including philanthropic organizations and private donors. GOMLF collaborates with multiple organizations in New England and has partnered with NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
The ghost gear removal program is a seasonal endeavor, running from late fall to early spring. Since October, they've removed an impressive 45 to 55 tons of material along the Maine coast. Campbell, dedicated to the cause, hauls around 30-40 traps daily during this period.
The gear is often found nearshore, hidden in valleys or behind ridges after storms, or in busy traffic lanes. Campbell uses specialized equipment to grapple the gear from the seafloor, uncovering not only fishing gear but also surprising items like massive anchors, giant lobsters, and electrical cables.
Even fishermen not directly involved in the project contribute by providing valuable information and coordinates to locate the ghost gear. Weed acknowledges their expertise: 'We want to compensate these fishermen for their time and knowledge of the sea.'
For Weed, this project is personal. Hailing from a long line of Stonington-area fishermen, she aims to give back to the fishing community and protect the ocean they rely on. She believes that by working together, they can highlight the fishermen's role as ocean stewards and find a solution to this haunting problem.
But the question remains: How can we prevent this ghost gear from haunting our oceans in the first place? Is it a matter of stricter regulations, improved fishing practices, or increased awareness? Share your thoughts on this controversial issue and explore potential solutions in the comments below.
