Crab trap removal set for Feb. 17-26

By
Staff Report
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People participate in the annual volunteer crab trap cleanup in this undated photo. (Courtesy: Coastal Fisheries – Texas Parks and Wildlife/Facebook)

The Texas Department of Wildlife is seeking volunteers for the annual crab trap removal project, now in its 21st year.

Each February, volunteers help search for and remove abandoned crab traps.

If left in the water, the traps can foul shrimpers’ nets, snag fishing lines and “ghost fish,” which allows traps to unintentionally kill fish trapped inside.

To date, more than 40,000 abandoned crab traps have been removed from Texas coastal waters.

Abandoned crab traps snag nets and lines, trap sea life and create unsightly views. (Courtesy: Texas Parks and Wildlife/Facebook)

The dates for the trap removal are Feb. 17 through Feb. 26.

TPWD coordinator for the Lower Laguna Madre is Jason Ferguson, who can be reached at 956-350-4490.

The Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp and Adolph Thomae County Park are designated trap drop-off sites.

Dumpsters or collection areas marked with banners will be on-site to receive traps for the duration of the removal project.

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