Hoping to add to the pile of more than 33,449 derelict crab traps hauled from Texas bays since 2002, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department  officials are gearing up for the 14th annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program  Feb. 21 to March 2.

During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps.  Any traps left in the bay will be assumed abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.

Prior to the 77th Legislature authorizing the abandoned crab trap removal program, only the trap’s owner or a Texas 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 Texas shores.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the coast-wide effort to remove the numerous traps that have been lost or abandoned since last year’s cleanup.  To facilitate volunteer trap removal efforts this year, TPWD will provide trap drop-off sites at several locations in each major bay system along the coast from 8 a.m. to noon on Feb. 22, weather permitting.  Additionally at all sites, dumpsters or collection areas marked with banners will be available to receive traps for the duration of the closure.  Volunteers may focus their efforts on Feb. 22 or work at their own pace anytime during the closure, but traps cannot be removed prior to Feb. 21 or after March 2.

Last year, volunteers with the aid of numerous sponsors removed nearly 1,000 traps coast-wide.

“The success of this program is a reflection of the keen sense of stewardship anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts have for the marine resources of this great state,” said Art Morris, ACTRP program coordinator for TPWD. “Volunteers have removed more traps from Texas waters than any other Gulf state and the results show.”

Morris said the number of traps removed each year has steadily been decreasing, indicating the impact of the volunteer program.

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

To participate, 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.

All other legal means of crabbing will not be affected during the closure period for wire crab traps. For more information, contact your local TPWD Coastal Fisheries office or Art Morris at the Corpus Christi field station, (361) 825-3356 or crabtrap@tpwd.texas.gov

Trap Drop-off Sites

Sabine Lake

Local TPWD coordinator Jerry Mambretti (409) 983-1104 (Ext. 222)

• Pleasure Island Marina Boat Ramp

Galveston Bay

Local TPWD coordinator Bill Balboa (281) 534-0110

• Jones Lake State Ramp (Fat Boys) — Facilitated by NRG Energy and the Galveston Bay Foundation
• Seabrook SH 146 Bridge Public Boat Ramp
• Fort Anahuac County Park Boat Ramp — Facilitated by Galveston Bay Foundation
• Chocolate Bayou State Boat Ramp- FM 2004

Matagorda Bay

Local TPWD coordinator Leslie Hartman (361) 972-6253

• Mitchell Cut Boat (ICWW) Ramp at Sargent
• Matagorda Harbor at Matagorda
• Railroad Park at Palacios

San Antonio Bay

Local TPWD coordinator Norman Boyd (361) 983-4425

• Charlie’s Bait Stand
• Port O’Connor TPWD Docks

Aransas Bay

Local TPWD coordinator Emma Clarkson (361) 729-5429

• Goose Island State Park Boat Ramp
• North Cove Harbor Boat Ramp

Corpus Christi Bay

Local TPWD coordinator Tom Wagner (361) 729-2328

• Marinaville (Nueces Bay) Boat Ramp
• Port Aransas Public Boat Ramp

Upper Laguna Madre

Local TPWD coordinator Faye Grubbs (361) 825-3353

• Bluff’s Landing Marina
• Kaufer Park Boat Ramp

Lower Laguna Madre

Local TPWD coordinator Mark Lingo (956) 350-4490

• Adolfe Thomae County Park at Arroyo City
• Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp at Port Mansfield