Derelict Crab Trap Recovery Program
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2006
Time: 8:00 AM - Noon
Places: Fowl River, Dog River, Chacaloochee Bay Causeway boat launch, Meaher State Park boat launch, Fairhope Yacht Club, Weeks Bay CR 1 boat launch, Wolf Bay
Contacts: Leslie Hartman - Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources - lhartman@gulftel.com 251-861-2882 and Lee Yokel - Mobile Bay National Estuary Program - lyokel@mobilebaynep.com 251-431-6409
Comments: For more information, click on Program, Volunteers, Locations. Bring gloves, boots and clothes that can get dirty. In general, we are asked to not bring kayaks and canoes, but depending on the location, captains in charge and other available motor boats, you might come prepared, if needed.
Harriet adds the following comments:
Between now and March 10, if anyone comes across any derelict crab traps in the bay or lower delta, please make a note of generally where you see them and notify me by email, and please flag them with some ORANGE tape - easily found at a hardware store. You could carry a role with you on your paddles. Please tie the tape very securely and make sure enough is attached to be seen (we don't want the tape breaking away and further littering our bay). If you don't have any tape, please let me know where you saw them.
The bay is full of debris, and I noticed at least a half dozen crab traps in Big Bateau Bay this past weekend - they are a hazard to boaters of all kinds, and ugly in our beautiful area. So, with that in mind, I assume there are many more in Justins Bay, Chacaloochee Bay, the entire area. I am comprising a general list of where we see them and forwarding on to Mobile Bay NEP, so they can send boats to retrieve them.
And remember, March 11 is the Derelict Crab Trap Removal program - as kayakers and canoers, our help is requested especially before the date, performing the above mentioned tasks. Mobile Bay NEP discourages kayaks and canoes during the actual event, as we cannot retrieve the traps. However, they request our help during the day - many volunteer jobs will be available - just check the website:
http://www.mobilebaynep.com/Crab%20Stuff/Crab_Trap/Crab%20Trap%20Program.htm
Harriet Ingraham
hvk1457@aol.com