Maine lobster trap tags found on Azores beaches

Researchers from the University of the Azores have identified 1,577 pieces of North American lobster fishing equipment washed up on the southern coasts of Faial and Pico islands. The study, led by Christopher K. Pham, analyzed material collected between 2017 and 2025.

Of the identifiable items, 63% originated from the United States and 37% from Canada. Among the American tags where the state could be identified, 80% were from Maine. The findings highlight the long-distance transport of marine debris, with some tags appearing on the islands up to 36 years after their recorded date.

The identification was made possible by regulatory requirements in the US and Canada, which mandate tags containing license numbers, years, and fishing areas. While these tags act as traceable documents, researchers noted that much of the plastic reaching remote islands is too fragmented to determine its original source.