Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program to coincide with Louisiana effort

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials have set dates for the 15th annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, which this year will  Feb. 20 to March 1 and run at the same time as the initiative dates in Louisiana.

The program, in place since 2002, has helped to remove more than 55,000 derelict crab traps hauled from Texas bays. During the 10-day period all Texas bays are closed to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps. Any remaining traps will be assumed abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove traps they find.

The change in this year’s effort to coincide with Louisiana’s dates involves a joint project to help rid Sabine Lake on the East Texas border of traps.

Prior to the 77th Legislature authorizing the abandoned crab trap removal program, only the trap’s owner or a game warden could legally remove a crab trap. State game wardens confiscate more than 2,500 illegal traps annually, yet many more remain to foul shrimpers’ nets, snag anglers’ lines, “ghost fish” and create an unsightly view of state shores.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the coastwide effort to remove numerous traps that have been lost or abandoned since last year’s cleanup. TPWD will provide trap drop-off sites at several locations in each major bay system along the coast from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 20, weather permitting.  Additionally at all sites, trash bins or collection areas marked with banners will be available to receive traps.

Coastal Conservation Association-Texas, the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program and the Galveston Bay Foundation are providing continued support to the crab trap removal program. Numerous other organizations and companies also are volunteering services.

Volunteers may pick up free tarps, gloves, trap hooks and additional information at their local TPWD Coastal Fisheries field stations. TPWD requests that volunteers who remove traps record and submit information about the number of traps they collect as well as documenting any sightings of diamondback terrapins and other unusual wildlife..

All other legal means of crabbing will not be affected during the closure period for wire crab traps.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials have set dates for the 15th annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, which this year will Feb. 20 to March 1.

Trap Drop-off Sites

Sabine Lake– Local TPWD coordinator Jerry Mambretti 409-983-1104 (ext. 222)

1. Mesquite Point Boat Ramp next to Walter Umphrey State Park — Facilitated & trap drop-off site
2. Pleasure Island Marina Boat Ramp – Trap drop-off site

GALVESTON BAY – Local TPWD coordinator Glen Sutton 281-534-0110

1. Jones Lake State Ramp (Fat Boys) — Facilitated & trap drop-off site
2. Seabrook SH 146 Bridge Public Boat Ramp — Trap drop-off site
3. Fort Anahuac County Park Boat Ramp — Facilitated by Galveston Bay Foundation & trap drop-off site
4. Chocolate Bayou State Boat Ramp- FM 2004 — Facilitated & trap drop-off site

MATAGORDA BAY– Local TPWD coordinator Leslie Hartman 361-972-6253

1. Mitchell Cut Boat (ICWW) Ramp @ Sargent — Trap drop-off site
2. Matagorda Harbor @ Matagorda — Trap drop-off site
3. Railroad Park @ Palacios — Trap drop-off site

SAN ANTONIO BAY – Local TPWD coordinator Norman Boyd 361-983-4425

1. Charlie’s Bait Stand — Facilitated & trap drop-off site
2. Port O’Connor TPWD Docks — Facilitated & Trap drop-off site
3. Austwell Public Boat Ramp – Trap drop off site

ARANSAS BAY – Local TPWD coordinator Chris Mace 361-729-5429

1. Goose Island State Park Boat Ramp — Trap drop-off site
2. North Cove Harbor Boat Ramp — Trap drop-off site

CORPUS CHRISTI BAY – Local TPWD coordinator Tom Wagner 361-729-2328

1. South Conn Brown Harbor Public Ramp — Trap drop-off site
2. Ransom Channel Public Ramp — Trap drop-off site

UPPER LAGUNA MADRE – Local TPWD coordinator Faye Grubbs 361-825-3353

1. Bluff’s Landing Marina — Trap drop-off site
2. Kaufer Park Boat Ramp — Trap drop-off site

LOWER LAGUNA MADRE – Local TPWD coordinator Jason Ferguson 956-350-4490

1. Adolfe Thomae County Park — Trap drop-off site
2. Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp — Trap drop-off site