On February 15th more than 100 volunteers and 16 boats gathered at Toby Voisin’s oyster dock on Bayou Dularge for the annual Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo. The volunteers, LDWF staff, and members of the commercial fishing industry assisted in retriveing more than 1,000 abandoned crab traps.
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 crab fishing licenses. Since the program began volunteers have assisted in removing more than 24,000 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 navigation hazards, and reduce visual appeal of the environment.
Volunteers received free hats, t-shirts, and lunch along with a number of door prizes provided by generous supporters. A special congratulations to Marty Authement of Dularge and Eric Hanson of Port Sulphur, who won fabulous prizes for finding the famed “golden crabs” among the derelict traps.
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; Audubon Nature Institute; Coastal Conservation Association-Louisiana; Home Depot; Raising Canes; Songy’s Sporting Goods; and Walmart. Also, a special thanks to student volunteers from Louisiana State University and Nicholls State University; Drs. Quenton Fontenot and Allyse Ferrara of NSU; Joe Malbrough with LUMCON; and Louisiana Sea Grant.