Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries News
Volunteers Needed for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Derelict Crab Trap Clean-up
January 17, 2014) The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with Coastal Conservation Association-Louisiana, Audubon Nature Institute, and Louisiana Sea Grant will host the 2014 Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo on Saturday, February 15 from 8:30am to 3:30pm at Toby Voisin’s oyster dock located at the end of Hwy 315 in Dularge.
The Derelict Crap Trap Removal Program was initiated by LDWF in 2004 to address removal of derelict and abandoned crab traps. The traps increase ghost-fishing mortality of blue crabs and other species captured incidentally, interfere with other commercial fishing gear types, create navigation hazards, and reduce visual appeal of our environment. The volunteer-based program is funded through commercial fishermen gear fees and since its inception has disposed of more than 22,000 derelict crab traps.
Volunteers
LDWF encourages volunteers to participate in this opportunity to remove abandoned traps and conserve Louisiana’s marine resources. Volunteers are needed to assist with dockside activities such as unloading and stacking traps. The greatest need is for volunteer boat owners to help maximize trap collection.
Volunteers willing to participate in the trap clean up can view information and pre-register at http://www.laseagrant.org/crabtraps/volunteers.htm and volunteer boat owners interested in donating and operating their boat should contact Jennifer Thomas at jkthomas@wlf.la.gov or (225) 763-3541.
All volunteers receive a complimentary lunch, gift, and are entered into a raffle for a chance to win fishing and outdoor prizes.
LDWF representatives and partners will be available at Toby Voisin’s oyster dock beginning at 8:30 a.m. to distribute instructions, maps, and supplies to volunteers, assist with the unloading of derelict traps, and document the number of traps removed. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for February 22nd.
Area Closure
In order to conduct the trap clean-ups, licensed crab fishermen will receive a notice informing them that they must remove their crab traps from within the closure area during the closure period, and all remaining crab traps will be considered abandoned and may be removed by agency personnel or volunteers.
For a map of the closure area click here.
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.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Thomas at jkthomas@wlf.la.gov or (225) 763-3541.
Media inquiries contact Ashley Roth, aroth@wlf.la.gov or 504-286-4162.
