The Derelict Crab Trap Program

The Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program was created by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in 2004.

These traps were separated from their buoys by tides or currents, they were vandalized, or they were not assembled properly in the first place.

Checking, running, or tampering with another person's trap in Louisiana is a serious offense and it can lead to a fine of $450-$500 and the possibility of going to jail for up to 120 days.

This program now collaborates with volunteers, St. Bernard Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Coastal Conservation Association, Sweet Water Marina, and Boat Stuf.

After the first volunteer day in 2017, Dr. John Lopez from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin said, "We estimate that over 130,000 crabs per year were saved with these efforts.

These programs have also been successful with the help of volunteers working together, and over 30,000 derelict traps have been removed in Texas alone.

[7] So each of these programs have been able to remove thousands of abandoned traps and save a countless number of crabs and other species in the process.