Derelict fishing gear鈥攍ost traps, nets, and lines鈥攃an create hazards for boaters, risks for fishermen, endanger wildlife, and litter our beaches. Gear lost at sea due to storms or accidental vessel interactions can wash ashore or settle on the seafloor, sometimes lingering for years. Historically, Massachusetts law treated all fishing gear as private property, even if it was abandoned, broken, or no longer usable. This meant that removing old lobster traps or marine debris would technically be considered theft, thus making the removal of derelict gear difficult.
In 2022, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) established the Derelict Gear Task Force in partnership with Department of Fish & Game (DFG) and Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) staff, commercial fishing industry representatives, and NGOs to study problems and develop solutions relevant to derelict fishing gear. In 2024, the Task Force published a white paper on the subject. The Massachusetts Legislature鈥檚 Coastal Caucus championed the cause and pursued the task force鈥檚 recommendation and amended state law to maintain private property rights for fishing gear but differentiate fishing gear 鈥渄ebris鈥� and allow DMF to regulate its clean-up. Final regulations聽were implemented in January 2026 following approval by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission and DFG.
The public can now safely remove fishing gear debris found shoreside above the mean low water line. DMF can also issue Special Project Permits for qualified organizations to recover gear below mean low water during targeted cleanup efforts, including grappling and diving operations. Commercial mobile gear fishers are also permitted to remove derelict gear accidentally recovered during lawful fishing while being strictly prohibited from injuring fishing gear. DMF encourages those involved in clean-up efforts to attempt to return gear to its original owner if the gear is functional or salvageable and clearly identifiable.