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State announced crab trap closure

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Staff Report

Published: July 1, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - All blue crab traps must be removed from Gulf Waters from Pasco County, south, between July 10 and July 19.
The closure allows owners to retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from coastal and inland waters within three nautical miles of the shoreline.
The harvest of blue crabs by dip net, fold-up traps or other means will still be allowed during the closure.
The closed season applies to recreational harvesters who use standard blue crab traps unless the traps are attached to private property.
Lost and abandoned traps cause a problem in the blue crab fishery because they continue to trap crabs and fish when they are not being checked and maintained, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. They can also damage sensitive habitat and they pose a navigational threat to boaters.
The 10-day closure allows groups authorized by Fish & Wildlife to collect lost and abandoned traps during the closed period.
To learn more, go to MyFWC.com/RULESANDREGS, then click on Saltwater Traps.

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