ORP is partnering with Tradepoint Atlantic and local watermen on a derelict fishing gear removal effort in the upper Chesapeake Bay. This work supports healthier waterways and sustainable fisheries while providing economic opportunities for Maryland watermen.
Full announcement from Tradepoint Atlantic below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2026
Sparrows Point Container Terminal Project Partners with Oyster Recovery Partnership
to Remove Derelict Fishing Gear from Upper Chesapeake Bay
Cleanup effort will employ Maryland watermen and improve waterways near Hart-Miller Island and the Patapsco River
BALTIMORE, MD — The Sparrows Point Container Terminal Project – a joint venture between Terminal Investment Limited and Tradepoint Atlantic – has partnered with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) to remove derelict fishing gear from the upper Chesapeake Bay, improving local waterways while supporting Maryland watermen. The project will remove lost or derelict blue crab traps and other debris that can harm marine life, damage habitat, and interfere with active fishing operations. The effort represents mitigation connected to the Sparrows Point Container Terminal Project and reinforces Tradepoint Atlantic’s commitment to environmental stewardship alongside continued growth and redevelopment at Sparrows Point.
Field work has commenced and continues through the end of March, with 20 vessels and 40 watermen working in Baltimore County waters near Hart-Miller Island and the mouth of the Patapsco River off North Point State Park. Operations are staged from Holly Neck Marina and McCluskey’s Marina. Recovered material will be sorted for disposal and recycling with support from Baltimore Recycling Center and Sims Metal.
We are proud to partner with the Oyster Recovery Partnership and local watermen on this important effort to improve the health of our waterways,” said Pete Haid, Senior Vice President of Environmental at Tradepoint Atlantic. “By removing derelict fishing gear from our waters, Tradepoint is working to strengthen environmental stewardship while creating jobs for our local watermen and supporting our local economies.”
Derelict fishing gear — often called “ghost gear” — can continue to trap and kill marine life long after it is lost. It also creates hazards for navigation, damages marine habitats, and competes with actively fished gear. Removing this debris helps restore healthier waterways and supports the sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab fishery.
The project is being carried out in partnership with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Chesapeake Bay’s native oyster population and improving water quality throughout the region. For more than two decades, ORP has designed and implemented programs that work directly with the seafood industry to support sustainable fisheries management, including collaboration with local watermen to locate, remove, and recycle derelict crab traps from Chesapeake Bay waterways.
“Crab pots can be lost for a variety of reasons, but when they are, they continue to impact the Bay and the fishery,” said Ward Slacum, Executive Director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership. “This project is about working together, partnering with Tradepoint Atlantic and collaborating with local watermen, to remove derelict traps and other debris, reduce unintended catch, protect habitat, and improve the productivity of local fishing grounds, all while supporting a healthier, more sustainable fishery for everyone who depends on it.”
In addition to improving waterway health, the project provides economic support for local watermen who participate in retrieval operations and helps reduce gear competition for active fisheries.
“Lost crab pots are something we all deal with, and it’s good to see this kind of partnership to clean them up,” said Robert T. Brown, President, Maryland Watermen’s Association. “This work helps the Bay and puts watermen to work at a tough time for the seafood business. We appreciate Tradepoint Atlantic and ORP stepping up to keep our fisheries strong.”
About Tradepoint Atlantic and the Sparrows Point Container Terminal
Tradepoint Atlantic is a 3,300-acre multimodal logistics and industrial center located in Baltimore, Maryland, offering a strategic gateway to U.S. domestic and global markets through a unique combination of deep-water berths, on-site rail connectivity, and direct access to major interstate highways. Backed by the financial strength of Redwood Holdings and supported by strong partnerships with local and state government, Tradepoint Atlantic is leading the transformation of the former Sparrows Point steel mill into a world-class center for modern industry, job creation, and economic growth.
A key component of this transformation is the proposed Sparrows Point Container Terminal (SPCT), a 330-acre redevelopment project that includes approximately 168 acres for a new container terminal and intermodal yard, along with 162 acres dedicated to support facilities to enhance terminal operations. The project is a joint venture between Tradepoint Atlantic and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) and represents a significant opportunity for economic expansion in Maryland and the greater Baltimore region. Once complete, the planned state-of-the-art terminal is expected to strengthen the Port of Baltimore’s competitiveness and support its evolution from a regional port into a major logistics hub serving the broader East Coast and Midwest markets.
For more information visit www.tradepointatlantic.com and www.spctmd.com.
About Oyster Recovery Partnership
The Oyster Recovery Partnership is a nonprofit restoring the Chesapeake Bay by revitalizing oysters through collaboration, innovation, and action. Learn more at oysterrecovery.org.
###