Crab Trap Clean-Up

[Gottogo49]

If Texas can do it state-wide why not Louisiana? Politics?

Volunteers Sought For Crab Trap Clean-Up Feb. 15-24

AUSTIN, Texas — Hoping to add to the mountain of 22,746 derelict crab traps hauled from Texas bays over the last six years, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials are gearing up for the 7th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, running this year from Feb. 15-24.

During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with crab traps and any traps left in the bay will be presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.

Before the 77th Legislature authorized the abandoned crab trap removal program, only the trap’s owner or a TPWD game warden could legally remove a crab trap.

State game wardens pick up more than 2,500 traps annually, yet there are many more still in the water to foul shrimpers’ nets, snag fishermen’s lines and create an unsightly view of Texas shores.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the coast-wide effort to remove the numerous wire mesh cages used to catch crabs that have been lost or abandoned since last year’s cleanup and in years past.

To facilitate volunteer trap removal efforts this year, TPWD staff will designate sites in each of the eight major bay systems for trap collection.

Areas that are relatively free of abandoned traps will have stand alone sites with dumpsters marked for trap removal.

In other areas where more effort is need, sites will be manned until noon on Saturday, Feb. 16, weather permitting and have stand-alone dumpsters for the duration of the closure. For those who choose to work on their own, TPWD requests information about the number of traps that are collected.

Volunteers can work at their own pace during the closure as time and weather permit, but cannot remove traps before Feb. 15 or after Feb. 24. Any crabs found in the traps must be set free. Last year, volunteers with the aid of numerous sponsors removed more than 2,000 traps.

"This volunteer based program has exceeded our wildest imaginations. So good in fact we are working ourselves out of a job," said Art Morris, TPWD program coordinator. "Overall, the coast looks great in terms of the number of derelict traps people encounter. But in some areas, we could still use a little tidying up."

According to Morris, the major problem with abandoned crab traps is that many continue to fish after they are lost — which is referred to as "ghost fishing."

"Thirty six species of aquatic organisms have been documented in these lost traps, many commercially or recreationally important," Morris said. "And the list even includes species of special concern, like diamondback terrapins. During the event in 2006, the remains of a river otter were removed from a lost trap in Galveston Bay."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program, Coastal Conservation Association Texas, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, and the Cecil M. Hopper Museum are providing significant support to the crab trap removal program. Additional help is coming from numerous organizations, companies and others who are volunteering their services.

To participate, volunteers can pickup free tarps, gloves, trap hooks and additional information at each of the sites or their local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Field Stations.

To volunteer or for more information contact your local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division office listed below or contact Art Morris TPWD Outreach Specialist at (361) 825-3356.

Sabine Lake — Local TPWD coordinator Jerry Mambretti (409) 983-1104 Galveston Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Bill Balboa (281) 534-0100 Matagorda Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Josh Harper (361) 972-6253. San Antonio Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Norman Boyd (361) 983-4425 Aransas Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Dennis Pridgen (361) 729-2328 Corpus Christi Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Tom Wagner (361) 729-2328 Upper Laguna Madre — Local TPWD coordinator Todd Neahr (361) 825-3353 Lower Laguna Madre — Local TPWD coordinator Mark Lingo (956) 350-4490

[CAMP CANARD]

I thought the same thing when I saw this.
I see them all the time in West Cove.

[Sightwindow]

There's one in bayou dularge this sat.

[Gottogo49]

Originally Posted by Sightwindow

There's one in bayou dularge this sat.

There has never been one on Calcasieu Lake.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Gottogo49

There has never been one on Calcasieu Lake.

Our crabbers are good crabbers and never leave their death traps behind, unless they's in west cove. PIA to wade into those damn things.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Gottogo49

There has never been one on Calcasieu Lake.

I believe there was one scheduled about 6 or 7 years ago, but it was canceled due to bad weather. I don't think it was advertised very much and I saw something on the news about it being [or was] canceled.

[Gottogo49]

Originally Posted by Gerald

I believe there was one scheduled about 6 or 7 years ago, but it was canceled due to bad weather. I don't think it was advertised very much and I saw something on the news about it being [or was] canceled.

Sounds like Obamacare, there was a good intention there somewhere but it got lost in the shuffle.

[swamp snorkler]

They have them at least once a year in Terrebonne and Lafourche

[smooth move]

we(FWB) set up a cookin at the collection site here in Galveston, to feed the volunteers. it's a lot of fun and you get to meet some great folks.

[coolhand]

Louisiana has done it every year, for the past 10 years.


Volunteers Needed for Derelict Crab Trap Program
CCA Louisiana will be participating in the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program over three weekends in February and March and we are looking for volunteers to help out with this worthy cause.

Since 2004, the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program has removed about 20,000 abandoned crab traps in navigable waters in Louisiana’s bayous and lakes. This year, Louisiana Sea Grant has teamed up with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on cleanups of derelict crab traps during area closures over three weekends with a festival/rodeo atmosphere.

The St. Bernard/Plaquemines area will be cleaned up on Feb. 25 and March 3 with the rodeo/collection site in Delacroix at Sweetwater Marina. The Terrebonne area cleanup will be March 17 with the rodeo/collection site at LUMCON marine lab.

[Gottogo49]

Originally Posted by coolhand

Louisiana has done it every year, for the past 10 years.


Volunteers Needed for Derelict Crab Trap Program
CCA Louisiana will be participating in the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program over three weekends in February and March and we are looking for volunteers to help out with this worthy cause.

Since 2004, the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program has removed about 20,000 abandoned crab traps in navigable waters in Louisiana’s bayous and lakes. This year, Louisiana Sea Grant has teamed up with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on cleanups of derelict crab traps during area closures over three weekends with a festival/rodeo atmosphere.

The St. Bernard/Plaquemines area will be cleaned up on Feb. 25 and March 3 with the rodeo/collection site in Delacroix at Sweetwater Marina. The Terrebonne area cleanup will be March 17 with the rodeo/collection site at LUMCON marine lab.

Great for Southeast Louisiana, but never on Calcasieu, I wonder why?

[coolhand]

They just covered this on Paradise Louisiana. The spokesman for LWDF says they have targeted the whole state coast, including Cameron Parish and Vermilion Bay. Maybe they are overdue for our part of the state. This endeavor mostly involves a volunteer effort from many different organizations. Check with your local CCA chapter or LWDF and try to set this up. I will be happy to help you pick up traps. I will do the same and you can come help me in the Vermilion area.

[DeepwaterDave]

This is a great idea and we all certainly need to do our part in removing these abandoned traps.