GGGI Small Grant (2022) - Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society (SMELTS) (USA)
SMELTS lifting engine for marine debris recovery and anchored whale rescue - photo credit: SMELTS.org.
Project Summary
Using SMELTS Ropeless Lift Bag Technology to Remove Marine Debris and Rescue Anchored Whales
The SMELTS project is focused on developing technology to remove marine debris—specifically, anchored fishing traps—from ocean environments. During the course of this project, SMELTS built two neutrally buoyant marine debris lifting engine prototypes to develop techniques to recover marine debris, including anchored gear that can entangle whales and other marine wildlife. SMELTS worked with partner fishers and used commercial vessels to test new devices and techniques to identify and recover ALDFG. SMELTS also utilized a small, portable working-class underwater ROV with gripping arms and 4k video capability to record underwater marine debris recovery efforts, which will aid in training and in the development of techniques that can be used to aid entangled whales and other marine wildlife in the future.
Whale Rescue Raft (WRR) 2 - photo credit: SMELTS.org.
Whale Rescue Raft (WRR) close up - photo credit: SMELTS.org.
Testing Whale Rescue Raft (WRR) - photo credit: Michael Moore WHOI.
Donating and Handing over the GGGI funded Whale Rescue Raft to the Center for Coastal Studies - photo credit: SMELTS.org.
