October 5th, 2016 — The North Carolina Coastal Federation is accepting applications from North Carolina-based commercial fishermen for its annual Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project.
Applicants must have a valid Standard Commercial Fishing License and must be able available between Jan. 18 through Feb. 7, 2017. Selected watermen will be required to attend a training session.
The watermen will help the federation and the North Carolina Marine Patrol remove lost fishing gear from coastal waters between Jan. 15 to Feb. 7. The 2017 project will work within all three Marine Patrol districts across the state’s coast. Compensation will be $400 per boat, per day.
The project is intended to improve water quality and support coastal economies. During Jan. 2016 program, 11 crews removed 7.5 tons of marine debris, including 753 crab pots, from the waters of Northeastern N.C. Funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.