ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Lost or abandoned crab pots, often called “ghost pots,” can continue catching blue crabs and other wildlife long after they are lost. They can also become navigation hazards for boaters and add marine debris to Delaware’s waterways.

In the Delaware Inland Bays, side-scan sonar mapping efforts have estimated approximately 30,000 lost crab pots across the watershed. Delaware Sea Grant and the University of Delaware’s Coastal Sediments, Hydrodynamics, and Engineering Lab are working together with faculty, staff, students, local partners and volunteers to tackle the problem from both sides: removing existing ghost pots and preventing new ones.

Through volunteer derelict crab pot removal events, we locate and remove lost pots from the water. We also offer Crab Trap Check events, where communities can request assistance at their location. We help inspect and properly rig their pots, answer questions and share simple techniques that can help keep gear from becoming lost in the first place.

Together, these efforts connect research, education and hands-on action to keep Delaware’s waterways healthier, safer and cleaner.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT 

Your gift helps put prevention and removal into action. Donor support helps provide the University of Delaware boat time, equipment, supplies, volunteer coordination, outreach and education needed to locate and remove derelict crab pots and work directly with recreational crabbers to prevent gear from becoming lost.

Gifts will be allocated to the Delaware Sea Grant Gift Fund, which will direct support to the ghost crab pot project.