Derelict Crab Trap Removal

Derelict crab traps are traps that have been lost or abandoned due to a number of reasons:

• Separated from their buoys by tides, currents, storms, or passing boats
• Caught in and displaced by shrimp gear
• Vandalism
• Improper disposal of old, unfishable traps
• Poor assembly or maintenance of lines and floats
• Abandoned by fishermen leaving the fishery.

Since most crab traps are made of vinyl coated wire mesh, it can take years for a derelict crab trap to degrade. In the meantime, these traps can “ghost fish”, which means they continue to capture blue crabs and other species. They can also create a navigational hazard for boats and become entangled in other fishing gear like shrimp nets.

The removal of derelict crab traps is essential for reducing mortality of blue crabs and other species due to ghost fishing. This also ensures safe navigation, reduces conflicts with other fisheries and user groups, and improves the aesthetics of state waterways.

Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission established a Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program in 2004 to remove derelict crab traps from state-owned lake and river beds and other water bottoms and reduce their potential impacts. The program also collects data on the number and types of animals found in recovered traps. This program is funded in part by the sale of Louisiana crab fishing licenses and is run by LDWF, Louisiana Sea Grant, and volunteers.

Under this program, the Commission may close areas to crab traps during the following times every year:

• A period not to exceed 16 consecutive days between February 1 and March 31
• A period not to exceed 14 consecutive days, which includes the opening day of the spring inshore shrimp season
• When crab harvest is closed for biological or technical reasons, the Commission may prohibit crab traps for the duration of the closure.

Any crab trap found in these areas of the state when the Commission has prohibited their use shall be considered abandoned and may be removed by persons authorized by the Commission.

2023 Crab Trap Closure

On August 4, 2022, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) allowing the removal of derelict crab traps along Louisiana’s coast in 2023 from the four following described areas:

1.    The first closure will take place in the Pontchartrain Basin, in an area between Delacroix, River Aux Chenes, and Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs, from 12 a.m. February 1, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. February 14, 2023.

2.    The second closure will take place in the Barataria Basin, in an area south of Port Sulphur and Empire, from 12 a.m. February 1, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. February 14, 2023.

3.    The third closure will take place in the Terrebonne Basin, in an area south of the Pointe Aux Chenes Wildlife Management Area, from 12 a.m. February 1, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. February 14, 2023

4.    The fourth closure will take place in the Sabine Basin, in the LA portion of Sabine Lake, from 12 a.m. February 17, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. February 26, 2023

Closure Area Maps

Click each one to enlarge.

Statewide Map

 Barataria Basin

 Terrebonne Basin

 Pontchartrain Basin

 Sabine Basin

In the weeks leading up to the closures, LDWF will mail notices to all commercial crab trap license holders and crab buyers within the affected parishes as well as nonresident licensed crab fishermen who landed blue crab within the previous year from Louisiana waters.

Program Success

Since the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program began, volunteers have helped remove more than 50,000 traps.