Sept. 29, 2005

Mr Keith Rittmaster
North Carolina Maritime Museum
Beaufort, NC

Dear Keith

     I have reviewed your proposal to educate commercial and recreational fishermen and the general public about the effects posed by discarded gear on marine life and to establish readily accessible means of recycling monofilament line. To quote from the NOAA website:
 
"Globally, marine debris, including derelict fishing gear, continuously threatens the marine environment. Marine debris adversely impacts marine life though the destruction of essential habitat, entanglement, ghost fishing, and ingestion."
 
NOAA Website

     Specifically with regard to marine mammals and the effects of marine debris, NOAA has highlighted the effects of marine debris, especially derelict gear, on marine mammals. For example,
 
"Marine debris can have lethal or sublethal effects on marine mammals if ingested or if it entangles them, leading to decreased ability to breath, feed, swim or haul out. Marine debris, particularly derelict fishing gear, presents a serious risk of injury or death to Hawaiian monk seals. Monk seal pups and juveniles are especially attracted to debris. Subsequent interactions can lead to entanglement. Unless they are able to free themselves quickly, entangled seals risk drowning or death later due to injuries inflicted by the debris. In 1998, 18 monk seals were found entangled in marine debris (Marine Mammal Commission 1999) Of these, five were able to disentangle themselves, 12 were disentangled by field crews and one was found dead in a fishing net caught on the reef at Laysan Island. In 1999, a record 25 monk seals were reported to have been found entangled in marine debris (WPRFMC 2000a, 2000b, 2000c)"
 
NOAA Paper

     Although we may not be aware of the full effect of derelict gear on our living marine resources, our experience with entangled dolphins has shown that we have a local need for education and clean-up. The NCMM is the ideal place for a local education and outreach program. We would be willing to assist by providing data and photos of entangled marine mammals with derelict gear and suggesting locations for gear receptacles. We are currently establishing a new NOAA Fisheries Service Website for the Beaufort Laboratory and could add a link to the Maritime website to help spread the word.

Sincerely,