PORTLAND — Workers on a “gear grab” expedition to remove abandoned fishing equipment off the coast of Portland say they scooped about 1,000 pounds of rope and line from Maine waters.

World Animal Protection and the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation participated in the effort on May 1. The groups say they removed about 147 derelict traps in addition to the rope and line. The groups worked with local fishermen to locate and remove lobster traps that had accidentally lost buoys as well as other marine debris.

The groups say all the animals found inside the “ghost gear” were released back into local waters. Forty-four traps still in good condition went back to their owners. Unusable gear will be recycled.