Derelict Lobster Trap Removal Projects

Since 2010, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) Marine Program has conducted several research projects to remove derelict/abandoned lobster traps in the Long Island Sound (LIS) at the ports of Mattituck, Mount Sinai, Northport, and Oyster Bay. The successes of the projects were manifested through the cooperation of the lobster industry through the completion of surveys, planning sessions of operation field plans, and executing the fieldwork. These programs proved that a substantial quantity of derelict lobster traps have accumulated in the LIS and need to be removed.

Along with contributing to the ongoing problems associated with marine debris, many of these traps are still catching lobsters and are thus adding to the “fishing effort” for lobsters in LIS. CCE data shows that approximately 22% of the derelict lobster traps recovered had one or more lobsters in them and of this 22%, approximately 5% of the lobsters were dead. This is known as “ghost fishing”.

To date, a total of 22,000 derelict lobster traps has been recovered from the New York waters of the LIS. This is equivalent to an estimated total weight of 1,100,000 pounds. As a result of these projects, 498.95 metric tons of derelict lobster traps have been removed from the LIS. These traps were recycled or returned to their owners.

In 2024, CCE was awarded funding through the NFWF Long Island Sound Futures Fund to continue the derelict lobster trap removal effort. CCE will conduct 20 research trips from these ports with a goal of removing approximately 600 more traps from the LIS. CCE continues educational outreach with the commercial lobster industry and local officials to promote environmental stewardship and awareness, as well as improve management practices by providing the template for recycling, proper storage practices and disposal activities for inactive fishing gear.

CCE Marine Program completed the projects listed below:

• NFWF (Fishing for Energy Fund) 2010-2011- Derelict Lobster Gear Assessment, Removal, and Prevention (Pilot Project)
• NFWF (Fishing for Energy Fund) 2011-2012 - Derelict Lobster Gear Assessment, Removal, and Prevention II
• NFWF (Long Island Sound Futures Fund) 2012-2013 - Removing Ghost Fishing Gear to Restore the Sound for Long Island Fisheries (NY)
• NOAA NMFS FY 2012 Community-based Marine Debris Removal Project – Long Island Sound Derelict Lobster Gear Assessment, Removal and Prevention 2012- 2013
• NOAA NMFS FY2012 Community-based Marine Debris Removal Project Grant - Long Island Sound Derelict Lobster Gear Assessment, Removal and Prevention 2014-2016
• NOAA FY20-- Marine Debris Removal - Central Long Island Sound Derelict Lobster Gear Assessment, Removal and Prevention 2017-2020
• NFWF Fishing for Energy FY2019 - Assessing and Removing Derelict Lobster Gear in Long Island Sound (CT, NY)
• Reducing Marine Debris by Removing Derelict Lobster Gear from Long Island Sound-II (CT, NY)
• Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Derelict Gear Removal

Last updated May 22, 2026