Army Deepwater Derelict Net Removal
NRC worked with partners Washington Department of Natural Resources and the US Army 569th and 86th Dive Detachments to remove derelict nets from deepwater habitats of Puget Sound during summers of 2019 and 2020. With support from the Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training Program, divers deployed to Puget Sound and removed derelict gillnets and seine nets from depths to 170 feet on the west side of San Juan Island. These nets were negatively impacting critical habitat of ESA listed rockfish species and continuing to capture fish and invertebrates, despite having been lost years ago. NRC managed the project, coordinating with the dive detachments, Coast Guard, Puget Sound tribes and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure safe and effective operations.