Staff and volunteers from the Center for Coastal Studies returned to Hull Monday to employ a 215-foot crane to remove heavy debris left behind following an earlier cleanup along the shoreline.

In April, the Provincetown-based marine conservation organization enlisted dozens of volunteers from its “beach brigade” to remove more than 8,000 pounds of wire lobster traps and rope debris that were loose or able to be hauled by hand over the rocky shore. But considerable heavy and cumbersome debris remained, often wedged among the rocks. Much of the debris had accumulated during storms over several decades.

“Winter storms at sea have energy that is hard to comprehend. Nor’easters will tear up tons of fishing gear off the ocean bottom, and the wave activity can roll the fishing gear into entangled masses that are often deposited on shore,” said volunteer Tony Lacasse.

To remove the remaining debris, a highly technical operation was required to hoist the material hundreds of feet to a staging area above. A new crane from Winkler Crane and Construction Company of North Truro provided the most efficient method of removal. Among the large debris removed Monday was a massive 5,400-lb. tangled knot of nylon rope.

Often working with partner agencies, CCS leads efforts to conduct shoreline cleanups on Cape Cod, the Boston Harbor Islands, Cuttyhunk, and many other locales, as well as to remove ghost gear, or lost lobster pots and other fishing gear, from the sea bottom.
“Unless removed and disposed of properly, plastic debris on our coast remains forever, shedding microplastics and posing problems for habitat and wildlife,” said CCS Marine Debris and Plastics Program Director Laura Ludwig. “We were fortunate to work with Hull residents and others to help preserve this unique urban coastline.”

Now celebrating its 50th year, the Center for Coastal Studies is a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding, preserving and protecting marine ecosystems and the coastal environment through applied research, education and public policy initiatives. For more information, visit www.coastalstudies.org.

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