The distribution and direct impacts of marine debris on the commercial shrimping industry

Commercial shrimpers frequently encounter marine debris in their nets, resulting in economic impacts. Currently, no information existed on the spatial and temporal distribution of marine debris that shrimpers encounter and the subsequent economic impact on commercial shrimping. Twenty commercial shrimpers participated in a comprehensive data collection program (July 2020 through December 2020) within the north-central Gulf of Mexico, USA to characterize the quantity and impacts of marine debris. Derelict crab traps were an overwhelming issue for shrimpers. The type of fishing gear used influenced the type of marine debris encountered and the subsequent economic impacts. Surveyed shrimpers encountered marine debris on 19 % of tows and lost an average of 18.21 min, 7.88 kg of catch, and $6.37 in gear damage per tow with encounters, resulting in average annual losses of $6601 per shrimper. The results of this study show that marine debris encounters can have a large impact on the commercial shrimping industry.

The development of a derelict crab trap removal incentive program for commercial shrimpers

Due to fishery-tailored gear, shrimpers are often affected by benthic marine debris, specifically derelict crab traps. To alleviate the impacts on the commercial shrimping industry in the Mississippi Sound, a team of natural resource professionals and stakeholders developed a derelict crab trap removal incentive program for commercial shrimpers. In three years, this program led to the removal of 2904 derelict crab traps from the north-central Gulf of Mexico at a total average cost of $35,595 per year to implement the program, or $53 per derelict crab trap. Results from this study showed the cost of the program could further be reduced while covering the same shrimping area, through the inclusion of fewer disposal locations and targeting active and engaged shrimpers. This program led to the removal of crab traps by non-registered shrimpers, indicating that the existence of the program and associated outreach could lead to improved environmental stewardship without an incentive.