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- This event has passed.
TPWD: Annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal
February 17 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
From Feb. 16- 25, Texas coastal waters will close to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps to facilitate an annual volunteer crab trap cleanup.
The Coastal Conservation Association of Texas, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Galveston Bay Foundation, San Antonio Bay Partnership, Christmas Bay Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing continued support to the crab trap removal program. Numerous other organizations and companies also volunteer their services.
To participate, volunteers may pick up free tarps, gloves 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.
Volunteers may focus their efforts on Feb. 17 or work at their own pace anytime during the closure, but traps cannot be removed prior to Feb. 16 or after Feb. 25. Opportunities for land-based volunteers are limited.
Upper Coast Stations and Contacts:
SABINE LAKE – Local TPWD coordinator Carey Gelpi (409) 983-1104 (ext. 222)
Pleasure Island Marina Boat Ramp – Facilitated trap drop-off site.
GALVESTON BAY – Local TPWD coordinator Christine Jensen (281) 534-0100
Jones Lake State Ramp (Fat Boys) — Non-facilitated trap drop-off site
Dickinson Bayou SH 146 Bridge Public Boat Ramp — Non-facilitated trap drop-off site
Fort Anahuac County Park Boat Ramp — Facilitated trap drop-off site. Register to volunteer at this site with the Galveston Bay Foundation. Event details here.
Chocolate Bayou State Boat Ramp FM 2004 — Non-facilitated trap drop-off site
TPWD Dickinson Marine Lab — Non-facilitated trap drop-off site during business hours (M-F, 8am-5pm)
Christmas Bay boat ramp (at the end of Amigo Lane) – Facilitated by the Christmas Bay Foundation. Visit Christmas Bay Foundation’s site for more information about volunteering at this location.
MATAGORDA BAY– Local TPWD coordinator Leslie Hartman (361) 972-6253
Log in VMS as GCMN: Natural Areas
