Friday, February 27, 2015

Louisiana Clean-Up Removes Derelict Crab Traps

On February 21 more than 50 volunteers and seven boats gathered at Johnson's Bayou boat launch in Cameron Parish for the annual Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo. Volunteers, LDWF staff, and members of the commercial fishing industry assisted in retrieving more than 400 abandoned crab traps.

This year's crab trap cleanup was jointly conducted by LDWF and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and focused on border waters within Sabine Lake and adjacent natural bayous.

LDWF initiated the volunteer-based Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program in 2004 to address removal of derelict and abandoned crab traps. The program is funded in part by the sale of Louisiana commercial and recreational crab fishing licenses. Since the program began volunteers have assisted in removing nearly 25,000 traps. Removal of these traps is imperative since they increase ghost-fishing mortality of blue crabs and other species captured incidentally, interfere with other commercial fishing gear types, create navigational hazards, and reduce visual appeal of the environment.

Boat captain, Raymond Little, received a Target gift card for retrieving the most crab traps during the event, and volunteers received free hats, t-shirts, and lunch along with a number of door prizes provided by generous supporters. The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana donated the volunteer raffle prize, a Costa stainless steel cooler.

LDWF would like to thank the following organizations for their generous donations and contributions for the event and their commitment to conserve Louisiana's marine resources; Coastal Conservation Association-Louisiana; Audubon Nature Institute; Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Krispy Kreme Donuts; Target; Lake Charles Tackle; Cajun Tackle and Raising Canes. Thanks especially to volunteers from Audubon Nature Institute, LSU Ag Center, Louisiana Sea Grant and the Girl Scouts.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb, or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

Media inquiries contact Ashley Roth, aroth@wlf.la.gov or 504-286-4162.