National TRAP Program
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Welcome to the Nationwide Fishing Trap, Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program website!
The program priorities are the detection and removal of derelict fishing traps and the collection of standardized data associated with the removed traps. Derelict fishing traps are passive cage-style gear that are lost, abandoned, discarded, or otherwise no longer under control of a commercial or recreational fisher. These traps target crustaceans and some types of finfish, and they include, but are not limited to, abandoned crab or lobster pots/traps.
This space is the future home of a TRAP Program data dashboard. It will display graphs, metrics, and maps that will provide insight into the scope of the program in terms of types of traps collected, by-catch species, and location.
While we wait for data to be collected, please enjoy some images related to the program!
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Gloucester Point, VA
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This project is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.