Long Island Sound Lobster Pot Retrieval set for August 15, 2010

The Scuba Sports Club of Westchester County and Captain Mike’s Diving Services on City Island, are undertaking a major project to retrieve lost lobster pots from the Long Island Sound beginning in the City Island area. The project which has already begun as scuba divers are locating and mapping the lobster pots to be retrieved on August 15th.

Environmentally this is a significant step towards removing years of man-made debris that has accumulated in the water. Plus the scuba divers will be identifying and/or removing any other debris that they are able too.

An additional benefit will be the returning to the original owners their property that was lost either null or through vandalism. Many of the lobster pots are owned by people who support their families by being lobstermen, along with the individuals who fish recreationally.

As each lobster pot is required to have a NYS DEC identification number attached to it we will be able to with the help of the DEC to identify the owners of the lobster pots.

As this project progresses, we will be posting pictures of what we find and in some cases video to show what activity is occurring in these lobster pots as lobsters and other sea life were caught and trapped and unable to be retrieved and set free or used as the food they were originally meant to be caught for.

We consider this project to be a positive step forward for everyone as it will be improving the quality of the Long Island Sound at the same time assisting business owners and others whose equipment was lost.

All of this work is being done on a volunteer basis by everyone involved so anyone who would like to participate by either joining physically with scuba diving or providing their time and boat to help the scuba divers in the mapping process or by financially sponsoring to help underwrite the costs of the removal of the debris and other equipment your assistance would be greatly appreciated.