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The commercial shrimping industry is subjected to myriad stressors that have led to financial hardships among industry members. One of these stressors is marine debris; however, there is limited understanding of the type and magnitude of impacts. Quantitative methods of estimating the economic impacts of marine debris on the commercial shrimping industry were developed. From June to December 2019, participating shrimpers submitted 393 daily summaries, including shrimping activities, marine debris encounters, damages, and impacts. The impacts of marine debris encounters were assessed from reports of daily damages to fishing assets, daily lost fishing time, daily loss-catch ratios, and daily catch losses. The results of this study demonstrate substantial negative economic impacts on commercial shrimpers related to marine debris encounters. About 17 % of shrimp caught were lost due to marine debris encounters, resulting in foregone total sales and job impacts of $3.2 million and 33 jobs in shrimping and associated businesses. • Twenty participating shrimpers submitted 393 daily summaries, including shrimping activities, marine debris encounters, damages, and impacts. • Impacts were assessed from reports of daily damages to fishing assets, daily lost fishing time, daily loss-catch ratios, and daily catch losses. • Results demonstrate substantial negative economic impacts on commercial shrimpers related to marine debris encounters. • About 17 percent of shrimp caught were lost due to marine debris encounters Foregone total sales and job impacts reached $3.2 million and 33 jobs in shrimping and associated businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two small-scale Black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) marsh restoration designs were examined for cost-effectiveness by analyzing a suite of morphological and physiological metrics, along with vegetated area over time. The restoration was conducted by harvesting marsh sods from an adjacent natural marsh and planting in the restoration site. Both restoration designs are on suitable scales for private property owners to conduct, but differed in initially planted coverage area. One design was fully planted (100% coverage of planted marsh sods; termed full density design) and the other design was planted at half the density of the fully planted design (50% coverage of planted marsh sods; termed half density design). We found no consistent differences in the measured metrics between the two restoration designs and few differences between restored sites and reference natural marsh stands. These findings suggest the potential similar functionality across all treatments. The only metrics with consistent differences among treatments were increased leaf nutrient and chlorophyll content in the restored plots when compared to natural stands. These differences are potentially attributable to nutrient-rich runoff from an adjacent parking lot to the restoration site. Total vegetated coverage area for half density plots was similar to full density plots at 2.1 years after planting. Cost-effectiveness analysis of both designs across eight differing restoration scenarios (based on hiring or donation of cost categories) resulted in half density plots having higher or equal cost-effectiveness in seven of the eight scenarios. Half density plots were approximately twice as cost-effective in scenarios with donated pre-planting site construction. Based on the similar vegetated area between the two designs and lower cost and restoration effort, we suggest the half density design as a more cost-effective restoration strategy than the full density design and should be considered for small-scale Black needlerush restoration projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Commercial fishing is a fragile industry that is exposed to a multitude of stressors. Marine debris is known to be one of these stressors; however, the prevalence and impact is rarely assessed. Therefore, this analysis assessed the perceived encounter frequency and impacts of marine debris on commercial fishing through an end-of-the year survey of registered Mississippi commercial shrimpers. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of shrimpers indicated they encountered marine debris in 2018 with 85% encountering it frequently. The most common debris reported to be encountered was abandoned or derelict fishing gear (93% of shrimpers), primarily crab traps. Most shrimpers reported reduced catch (80%), lost fishing time (82%), and vessel repairs (75%) due to marine debris. Additionally, 93% of shrimpers categorized marine debris as destructive to their operations. These results indicate that marine debris does have significant direct impacts on the commercial shrimping industry in Mississippi and likely other regions. • 85% of shrimpers indicated they encounter marine debris frequently. • 93% of shrimpers encountered derelict fishing gear during operations. • Over 90% of shrimpers reported direct damages from marine debris. • Damages included lost fishing time, reduced catch, and vessel repairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]