DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL PROGRAM

Program Justifications

Although adoption of the crab trap has had a positive impact on the blue crab fishery and industry, the proliferation of traps has resulted in an increase in problems associated with derelict traps. There are large numbers of derelict crab traps in the coastal waters. The problems associated with derelict crab traps are multi-faceted. Negative impacts of abandoned crab traps include: ghost fishing mortality of blue crabs and bycatch; user group conflicts with shrimp fishermen and other water-based user groups; navigational hazards to boaters; and, decreased visual aesthetics. These impacts create a negative view of the fishery by the public.

NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
USER GROUP CONFLICTS
BYCATCH MORTALITY

Derelict crab traps can only be removed by the trap owner, although shrimp fishermen who catch unserviceable crab traps in their gear must retain the traps for later disposal. The only mechanism by which the general public can remove derelict traps is though the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries derelict crab trap removal program, where derelict traps may be removed from within a defined closure area and time period. The derelict crab trap removal program is a positive approach to resolving the derelict trap issues.

Justification for the trap closure time windows as specified in the legislation was primarily related to trap location, mode of retrieval, and commercial catch rates. The February 1 – March 31 window, which addresses visible derelict crab traps in shallow water, is usually associated with low tides (which would expose more derelict crab traps). Crab catches are typically low at this time of the year, which would lessen the impact on crab fishermen. Additionally, this time period should facilitate volunteer participation. By March, weather should be fairly pleasant and there are few outdoor activities for sportsman at this time (hunting season is over and saltwater fishing is very slow), which would mean fewer conflicts for volunteers. Allowance of up to a 16-day closure would include three weekends, facilitating volunteer participation. The closure period associated with the opening of the shrimp season will address deep-water derelict traps, with shrimp fishermen retrieving most of the traps.

Closure areas, of course, were selected because of their known concentratioNs of derelict crab traps. The closure areas have been kept relatively small for several reasons. First, there would be a smaller impact on the commercial blue crab fishery and industry. Second, the program would be more manageable from logistical and financial standpoints.

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