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Since May 2004, Tampa Bay Watch has removed 478 derelict traps from the waters of Tampa Bay.
photos for Tropical Breeze courtesy of Tampa Bay Watch
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Tampa Bay Watch, along with the Florida Airboat Association and community volunteers participated in a crab trap removal effort in Upper Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Six captains of the Florida Airboat Association provided airboats to aid in locating and retrieving 83 derelict traps. The primary objective of this project was to remove derelict traps from the environment and to reduce unnecessary entrapment of marine organisms, such as blue crabs, stone crabs, small commercial and recreationally important fish and brackish water turtles. Manatees, dolphins and sea turtles can also become entangled in the trap line causing injury or death. Other benefits include the removal of marine debris from the environment, reducing boating safety hazards and increasing public awareness on the problems of derelict crab traps.
“Events like this are great because it gets organizations like the Florida Airboat Association and community volunteers involved in helping to preserve and protect the bay by removing debris and keeping marine life from needlessly getting caught and killed in abandoned traps,” said Serra Herndon, environmental scientist for Tampa Bay Watch.
It is estimated that there are thousands of derelict crab traps that have been accumulating for decades in Tampa Bay. Each year, Tampa Bay Watch performs aerial surveys to identify derelict traps and conducts clean-ups to remove them. Having conducted 11 crab trap removals since May 2004, Tampa Bay Watch has successfully removed 478 traps from the waters of Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Watch derelict crab trap program is conducted by trained volunteers that have a clear understanding of what constitutes a derelict trap. A derelict trap is defined as any trap found in the water during closed season for that species or any fishable trap during open season that lacks at least three of the following: buoy, line, current trap tag, current commercial saltwater products license. If derelict traps are found, do NOT remove them. Instead, record location of the trap either on a GPS or chart and any other pertinent information, then call Tampa Bay Watch to report your findings.
For more information identifying derelict crab traps, please contact Serra Herndon, environmental scientist at Tampa Bay Watch at 727-867-8166 or
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