* * * IMPORTANT NOTICE * * * You are currently viewing the old OUTDOOR CENTRAL.COM website ARCHIVES. For the latest in hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation related news, and an ALL NEW experience, including user friendly navigation, search capabilities, an Outdoor Central Video Network, and more, be sure to visit our NEW WEBSITE, located at http://www.outdoorcentral.com. Visit the new, improved website, you'll be glad you did! CLICK HERE

<%server.execute "/template_mdl.asp"%>

Sites Announced for Crab Trap Clean-Up Feb. 15-24

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division officials have announced drop-off sites for the 7th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, running this year from Feb. 15-24.

During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with crab traps and any traps left in the bay will be presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the coast-wide effort to remove the numerous wire mesh cages used to catch crabs that have been lost or abandoned since last year’s cleanup and in years past.

To facilitate volunteer trap removal efforts this year, TPWD staff has designated sites in each of the eight major bay systems for trap collection.

Areas that are relatively free of abandoned traps will have stand-alone sites with dumpsters marked for trap removal.

In other areas where more effort is need, sites will be manned until noon on Saturday, Feb. 16, weather permitting, and have stand-alone dumpsters for the duration of the closure. For those who choose to work on their own, TPWD requests information about the number of traps that are collected.

Volunteers can work at their own pace during the closure as time and weather permit, but cannot remove traps before Feb. 15 or after Feb. 24. Any crabs found in the traps must be set free. Last year, volunteers with the aid of numerous sponsors removed more than 2,000 traps.

To participate, volunteers can pickup free tarps, gloves, trap hooks and additional information at each of the sites or their local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Field Stations.

(Facilitated sites will be manned from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Sat., Feb. 16)

Sabine Lake — Local TPWD coordinator Jerry Mambretti (409) 983-1104

Walter Umphrey State Park Boat Ramp on Pleasure Island — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Galveston Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Bill Balboa (281) 534-0100

	Jones Lake State Ramp (Fat Boys) — Facilitated Feb. 16 & stand-alone through the 24th.
	Ernie’s Bait Barn — Facilitated Feb. 16 & stand-alone through the 24th
	Stingaree Boat Ramp — Facilitated Feb. 16 & stand-alone through the 24th
	Seabrook SH 146 Bridge Public Ramp — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Fort Anahuac County Park — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Matagorda Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Josh Harper (361) 972-6253

	Mitchell Cut Boat (ICWW) Ramp @ Sargent — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Matagorda Harbor — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Railroad Park @ Palacios — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

San Antonio Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Norman Boyd (361) 983-4425

	Charlie’s Bait Stand — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Port O’Connor TPWD Docks — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Aransas Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Dennis Pridgen (361) 729-2328

	Goose Island State Park Boat Ramp — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Cove Harbor Boat Ramp — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Corpus Christi Bay — Local TPWD coordinator Tom Wagner (361) 729-2328

Conn Brown Harbor Boat Ramp @ Aransas Pass — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Upper Laguna Madre — Local TPWD coordinator Todd Neahr (361) 825-3353

	Bluff Landing Marine — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Kaufer Park Boat Ramp — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Lower Laguna Madre — Local TPWD coordinator Mark Lingo (956) 350-4490

	Adolfe Thomae County Park @ Arroyo City — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24
	Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp @ Port Mansfield — Stand-alone Feb. 15-24

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page