Community members are invited to help Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade remove derelict lobster traps from Black Rock Beach below More Mesa, 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 21.
More than 80 lobster traps have drifted ashore from a fishing area off More Mesa, and Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade plans to gather to remove the traps from the beach. Volunteers will use hand tools to dig out buried traps, remove rocks and debris, and stage traps for removal offshore to a commercial fishing boat.
Commercial fisherman Chris Voss from Fishermen of Santa Barbara and his team will provide vessel support to load traps and transport them to the Santa Barbara Harbor for proper recovery and disposal.
Derelict lobster traps can entangle marine wildlife, release microplastics, create safety hazards for vessels and beachgoers, and wash up on beaches as pollution. The U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife calls marine debris “one of the most pervasive threats to the health of the world’s coastal areas, oceans, and waterways.”
In 2017, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) implemented a lobster trap-tag system to track lost gear and aid in its recovery. According to CDFW, during the 2019-20 season, a total of 6,503 lobster traps were reported as lost off California’s coast, a statistic considered low because it reflects only the losses that were reported.
The Santa Barbara Channel was identified as a hotspot for lost traps due to the high level of catch and fishing effort that occurs here.
“It’s amazing what a motivated group of community members can accomplish when we work together as a team. We’re excited for this chance to keep one of our local beaches pristine again and free of fishing gear. We hope that many more volunteers decide to join us,” said Benjamin Pitterle, Channelkeeper science and policy director.
Volunteers will gather at the east end of the Goleta Beach parking lot (close to the slough) and walk together about 1.5 miles east down the beach to remove traps. It is recommended that participants wear a hat, sunscreen, appropriate clothing for wading in the surf zone, and shoes that can get wet. It’s also advisable to bring water, gloves, and a towel to dry off.
All volunteers will be required to sign liability waivers. To sign up, visit https://bit.ly/3Pl3VVV.