In February, countless individuals have banded together to seek the Texas coastline for abandoned lobster traps for the past 24 years. The abandoned traps can snag anglers ‘ lines, snag shrimpers ‘ nets, and lead to ugly views. Lost or misplaced fishing gear, such as nets, traps, and pots, continues to catch and kill marine life ( also known as “ghost fishing” ). Nearly 45, 000 of these abandoned traps have been removed by volunteers and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) staff so far, saving an estimated 740, 500 blue crabs.
To help the yearly volunteer lobster trap cleanup, Texas coastal lakes will be closed to crabbing from February 20 through March 1. Any traps left in bays, even those tied to docks, may be regarded as “litter” and regarded as such by state law. Individuals are now able to legally dispose of any shrimp traps they discover thanks to this.
Participants are required to support this year’s coastwide effort to remove lost or abandoned nets because they are necessary for the success of the Left Crab Trap Removal Program. On February 21, some organizations will hold charity activities, which are referred to as “facilitated” in the list below.
Partner organization membership may become necessary. Also, all sites that are receiving traps will have dumpsters or banner-dedicated collection areas available for the duration of the closing.
Individuals does concentrate their efforts on Feb. 21 or work at their own pace throughout the closing; traps may be removed before or after March 1 before Feb. 20. More opportunities are present but confined for land-based participants.
The lobster trap elimination programme will continue to receive funding from the Coastal Conservation Association Texas, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Galveston Bay Foundation, San Antonio Bay Partnership, Christmas Bay Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, a large number of businesses and individuals may be offering their services.
Volunteers does pick up free tents, gloves, and more information at their neighborhood TPWD Coastal Fisheries area stations. Individuals who remove nets are required to keep track of how many traps they take, as well as to report any sightings of copperhead terrapins to Holly Grand at crabtrap@tpwd.texas. gov.
During the closing time for cable crab traps, all other lawful means of crabbing will not be impacted.
Please contact Holly Grand or your local TPWD Coastal Fisheries office for more information via email at crabtrap@tpwd.texas or by phone at ( 361 ) 431-6003 x822. gov.
On the TPWD site, learn more about the Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program’s story.
On the TPWD media images page, you can find screenshots of past abandoned crab capture cleanups. Additionally, a YouTube videos created by TPWD is accessible for viewing.
Drop-Off locations for 2026 lobster traps
SABINE LAKE – Local TPWD coordinator, Carey Gelpi: ( 409 ) 983-1104 ( ext. 222 )
- Happiness Island Marina Boat Ramp – Facilitated capture drop-off location
GALVESTON BAY – Local TPWD coordinator, Christine Jensen: ( 281 ) 534-0110
- Jones Lake State Ramp ( Fat Boys ) — Non-facilitated trap drop-off location
- Non-facilitated capture drop-off location at Dickinson Bayou SH 146 Bridge Public Boat Ramp
- Fort Anahuac County Park Boat Ramp — Facilitated pit drop-off location
- 2004 Non-facilitated capture drop-off location for Chocolate Bayou State Boat Ramp FM
- TPWD Dickinson Marine Lab — Non-facilitated trap drop-off location during business hours ( 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. )
- L. K. Lauderdale Boat Ramp – Unfacilitated pit drop-off location
- San Luis Pass Boat Ramp – Facilitated capture cut off location
MATAGORDA BAY– Local TPWD coordinator, Jessica Geiskopf: ( 361 ) 972-6253
- For more information on working in the middle of the country, explore San Antonio Bay Partnership’s website.
- Non-facilitated trap drop-off location at Matagorda Harbor ( Matagorda )
- Railroad Park ( Palacios ) – Non-facilitated trap drop-off location
Christopher Steffen, SAN ANTONIO BAY – Local TPWD coordinator, ( 361 ) 983-4425
- For more information on working in the middle of the country, explore San Antonio Bay Partnership’s website.
- PortO’Connor TPWD Docks — Facilitated capture drop-off site
- Charlie’s Bait Stand — Non-facilitated pit drop-off location
- Swan Point / Sanders Park Boat Ramp ( Seadrift ) – Non-facilitated trap drop-off location
- Seadrift Marina — Non-facilitated pit drop-off location
- Austwell Public Boat Ramp – Non-facilitated capture drop-off location
ARANSAS BAY – Local TPWD coordinator, Alyx Bradley: ( 361 ) 729-5429
- For more information on working in the middle of the country, explore San Antonio Bay Partnership’s website.
- Goose Island State Park Boat Ramp – Non-facilitated pit drop-off location
CORPUS CHRISTI BAY – Local TPWD coordinator, Donella Strom: ( 361 ) 729-2328
- South Conn Brown Harbor Public Ramp – Non-facilitated capture drop-off location
- Ransom Channel Public Ramp – Non-facilitated pit drop-off location
UPPER LAGUNA MADRE – Local TPWD coordinator, Ethan Getz: ( 361 ) 431-6003
- Non-facilitated pit drop-off location at the Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Boat Ramp
LOWER LAGUNA MADRE – Local TPWD coordinator, Jason Ferguson: ( 956 ) 350- 4490
- Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp – Non-facilitated pit drop-off location
- Adolfe Thomae County Park– Non-facilitated capture drop-off location
