The Economic Times

In 2008, Virginia began paying fishermen to pull ghost traps from Chesapeake Bay; six years of cleanup helped unlock an estimated $21 million in extra crab catches

Virginia's six-year program removed thousands of lost crab pots from Chesapeake Bay. This cleanup effort generated an estimated $21.3 million in additional blue crab harvest value. Researchers found that removing derelict gear reduced competition and improved active fishing operations. The program cost $4.2 million, yielding substantial financial benefits for fishermen. Targeted removal and prevention strategies could further enhance future fishery investments.