Burnham's Ledge Dive Report and Request for Help

[matt_unique]

Three buddies and I dove Burnham's Ledge last Saturday morning. Unfortunately we arrived at the bottom to see about 40' of net with tons of dead sea life in it. One large seal (with the head eaten off), at least three Spiny Dogfish (one strangled right around the neck), other fish, and several large lobsters were ensnared in this expanse of net. This is also the entanglement nightmare we all think about and 5 minutes into the dive unfortunately one of my buddies was caught (by his fin) in the net. It is amazing how fast this can happen. He was trying to cut a lobster free (to let it go) and the net found it's way around his fin. He lost his first cutting tool in the process and quickly grabbed his second. The entire entanglement happened and was over in perhaps 2 minutes but it was a hell of a safety/procedure reminder for us all. (I'm sure it felt longer than 2 minutes for him). Prior to the end of the dive I spotted what was perhaps a 2.5 lb lobster I mean wrapped in the net and flapping it's tail to get out. I grabbed my EMT shears and started cutting. (EMT shears are without question the best tool for nets). I was cutting for 5 measured minutes and making progress but I could not get this lobster out. It's amazing how the net has a way of creeping up your arms as you're cutting. I stopped after every few cuts to fan the net away from my body/rig. Anyway the lobster was not cooperating as you might imagine and I was avoiding a good size set of claws during this cutting process. My NDL was approaching and unfortunately I had to put the lobster down. I hope it found a way out but I doubt it....

My buddy and I called Cape Ann Divers. Cape Ann Divers brings more people to that sight than any other dive operation and would have the greatest vested (financial) interest. My buddy called yesterday and spoke to a woman. The woman did not express much concern and was not friendly. She basically said it's not their problem. I suspect he was speaking to Mary and his experience matches my experience with her. Having not heard the conversation first hand I called Monday and spoke to someone else. I did not bother ask for a name but the conversation was polite. The gentleman explained that they are in a tough position considering the "tenuous relationship" with their community. As we all know, they oppose divers in Gloucester. He expressed concern that there may be laws surrounding the equipment, even if an abandoned ghost net. He said in one sense the presence of the net is a good advertisement for the destruction caused by netting. He was not sure whom to contact, said possibly the DF/WL. (Personally I think a few pictures and removing the net would do more good than leaving it there to continue to kill sea life and possibly snag a diver).

Bottom line, he said there is nothing they will do. I find this disappointing....

So...I would like to ask other NE Divers to help clean up the site. If you dive the site perhaps you can take your last 5 minutes to help cut the net and ideally wrap it up and bring it to the surface so it does not cause the same damage down current. It's presently wrapped around the mooring and through portions of the canyon so there is no question it's abandoned. I will be working toward the same goal with my buddies. It breaks your heart to see all the sea life dead for nothing in this net. Not to mention the fact that it's a significant entanglement hazard for divers. If you can help, please be extremely cautious, do so at your own risk, etc. I plan to have one person cutting while the other remains away from the net to serve as a safety diver.

As I re-read the post I should explain it is not a giant net per se. It's about 40' long as I recall and about as tall as say a tennis net, maybe a little less.

--Matt

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Matt,
That netting has been there for weeks. That seal was fresh in the net when I came accross it three weeks ago on Fran M's boat. Right at the base of the mooring. Made me sick. Lots of other dead and dying stuff too. I managed to save a goose fish but I was alone at the time and didn't want to chance getting netted myself so I backed off.

I'd be happy to help cut it loose. I've got time next week if you want to put something together. Let me know.

Al

 

[ageddiver]

Taking out that net yourselves is admirable, but you can't expect the commercial diving operations to do it. It's not that they don't care. As you pointed out their relationship with the fishing industry in the area is tenuous, and their boat coming in with a load of net in the back is an open invitation for a war of words about whether the net was really abandoned or was just cut down because it was in the way of their divers. Bringing up abandoned lobster pots would also be a good deed for the environment but you'd likely be called thieves no matter what shape they were in. It's just a bad local situation.

If you try to take it out yourselves be very careful - those gill nets are the worst entanglement hazard you'll find in the area. If possible, you might want to consider using a grapple to hook it and drag it out with the boat. But if it's around the mooring that may not be possible. What a mess, eh?

 

[ScubaSarus]

That net is what nightmares are made of. Im glad someone cares and Ide love to help if I can get up there. Whose to say that net wont trap and unsuspecting descending diver. Be careful guys. Maybe you can traverse the perimeter and find its attachment points and cut it loose then haul it up with a line to the boat. bUt it has to be done with all divers aware that at anytime the freed portions of the net can wash into them snagging them. It has to be well coordinated.

Something similar happened a while back and a great diver was lost while getting tangled saving a dolphin or seal I believe.


Just an Idea would be to have a boat anchored to the net keeping constant tension on the net. Use a orange ball bouy anchored to the bottom for an ascent line near the net.

As you cut the net free from the perimeter the boat will pull on the net keeping it taught. All divers will be on the other side of the net (like cutting down a tree) from were the tension force is applied. The net will be pulled away from them if they are not snagged in it. Eventually the net will free up and the boat will cut loose with the net and pull it up. Thats quite adventureous and requires some danger.

But thats why Im single because women want a guy to provide comfort and security and all I have to offer is danger and excitement (Mr Bean Parody).

I still remember when the angry lobster man snagged our flag in his line and I went down to get it (my flag) and he almost pulled me with him.

Divers will ascend the bouy line and wait for the boats to get the net and pick them up.

Just a thought (thinking out loud in text). Ide hate to see it cut away and end up someplace else.

Once again, thanks for caring enough to address this hazard.

 

[oceancurrent]

Eww. I was on a Cape Ann Divers charter a few weeks back just around the time the net was discovered. When we asked them would they do something about it - they said that the net has not been abandoned and they can't touch it. What a shame!

I'd say, let's go and remove the darn net. All we need is a vessel, a safety diver or two, a net cutter or two, and one photographer/videographer to document the operation. Tension the net with lift bags, cut it, send it to the surface, collect it with the boat, send the picture and story to the media. I am all for it - when are we going? Arrr!

 

[ScubaSarus]

Lift bags

Even better

If it not abandoned then someone should be accountable for the dead seal but I understand they dont like seals up north as they are in competition for their fish.

 

[dave4868]

Would it be worthwhile to ask the harbormaster or a DEC agent for advice on what can be done with the net?

Dave C

 

[ScubaSarus]

Actually Dave its survival of the fittest out there and if it doesnt concer the people asked they'll just shrug it off as its not their problem. The people are not marine divers and dont care too much about the wild life as long as it doesnt affect their wallets.

Thats the opinion Im getting and thats why groups like Greenpeace were formed.

Im assuming the harbor master will look at us and say "your kidding right"?

 

[dave4868]

Actually Dave its survival of the fittest out there and if it doesnt concer the people asked they'll just shrug it off as its not their problem. The people are not marine divers and dont care too much about the wild life as long as it doesnt affect their wallets.

Thats the opinion Im getting and thats why groups like Greenpeace were formed.

Im assuming the harbor master will look at us and say "your kidding right"?

You may be right, but I know a couple of the harbormasters and they have always been reasonable, helpful folks. Also, it was the DEC that became very active in pursuing the case of a lobsterman cutting divers' flaglines in the recent past. They were even prepared to set up a "sting".

I wouldn't expect them to remove the net, but just to advise about ownership and laws. I wouldn't discount them so quickly. They may be able and willing to do more than you assume.

Dave C

 

[MSilvia]

You might also contact Ben Cowie-Haskel at the Stellwagen Bank NMS sanctuary headquarters in Scituate. This net isn't in the sanctuary, obviously, but he recently had several teams removing nets from the wrecks out there, and he might have some suggestions as to how to approach the removal.