2026 Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program Removes 973 Derelict Traps from Texas’ Bays

2026 Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program Removes 973 Derelict Traps from Texas' Bays

March 13, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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GULF COAST - During this year's annual Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program (ACTRP), participants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Game Wardens, volunteers and partner organizations along the Texas Gulf Coast rallied together to search for and discard derelict traps from Texas' Bays.

For the past 24 years, Texas coastal waters officially close to crabbing with mesh wire cages for 10 consecutive days each February to facilitate the volunteer crab trap cleanup. Any traps left in bays - including traps tied to docks - are assumed abandoned and considered "litter" under state law during the closure period. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they may find.

"The Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program continues to be essential for reducing the number of derelict crab traps that can be found along the coast," said Holly Grand, TPWD's ACTRP and Coastal Outreach Coordinator. "The support of our volunteers, partners, and staff is crucial for the success of this program. We look forward to removing more traps next year."

This year, TPWD staff, volunteers and partners helped remove 973 traps from Texas Coastal waters. In addition, various marine life was successfully rescued from these now disposed crab traps:

• 320 blue crabs
• 201 stone crabs
• 21 sheepshead
• 13 catfish
• 3 flounder
• 2 Diamondback terrapins

The abandoned traps can damage shrimpers' nets, snag anglers' lines, and create unsightly views. In addition, lost or abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, traps and pots continue to catch and kill marine life (called "ghost fishing"). To date, volunteers and TPWD staff have hauled off over 46,000 of these derelict traps, saving an estimated 756,461 blue crabs.

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 provide continued support to the annual crab trap removal program. In addition, numerous organizations and companies provide volunteer services to make this program so successful. The Gulf of America Alliance also provides funds for innovative techniques to find traps and recently helped promote the benefit of crab trap cleanups.