As a member of the Gear Team the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF) focuses on the identification, removal and disposal of underwater traps and large masses of gear referred to as ‘gear balls.’ The long standing program of Gear Grab at GOMLF focuses on marine debris recovery, prevention and community engagement. As a small nonprofit organization based in Kennebunk, Maine GOMLF operations span from Southern to Downeast Maine with a focus on localized community engagement through direct fisherman collaboration. GOMLF’s broad reaching connections with fishermen and local governments enables our work on all levels including community buy-in, fisheries education, marine debris identification, safe removal and salvage/recycling/disposal of recovered marine debris. GOMLF supplies critical administrative management and backing to ensure budget adherence and fulfillment of team needs within project scope. Collaboration with the fisheries and their wealth of experiential knowledge is key to our operations and continued success. GOMLF’s experience in community-engaged underwater marine debris removal enables our small team to work with safety, efficiency and collaboration at the forefront of our initiatives. GOMLF works with communities to prevent ALDFG from winding up in the environment through voluntary disposal days where multi-sector fishermen are able to drop off old gear. Voluntary disposal days empower salvage of materials through artist partnerships, fishermen reuse of materials like wire for mending or bricks and community member salvage such as utilization of bricks in local garden beds. Voluntary disposal days provide the most effective way to recycle fishing trap wire by streamlining the recycling of clean gear. GOMLF is a proud member of the New England Gear Team where we have seen increased success in operations through strategic collaboration, network expansion and efficiency based logistical sharing.