February 20 through March 1 will be the annual closure for crabbing in Texas waters. It will be unlawful to place, fish or leave a crab trap or crab trap component in the coastal waters of the state during this time. The closure is called for the annual crab trap clean up that is scheduled to prevent ghost fishing and entanglement of marine life, etc. To date, volunteers working with Texas Parks and Wildlife have removed 9,942 abandoned traps from the San Antonio Bay system, and 31,237 coast-wide since the program began in 2002. San Antonio Bay system has accounted for 32% of the traps removed coast-wide and Galveston Bay system 40%.

In the San Antonio Bay system, Norman Boyd coordinates the effort and has picked February 21st as the target day for a consolidated effort, weather permitting. As in recent years Charlie’s Bait Camp and the Port O’Connor TPWD docks will be facilitated and have dumpsters. Norman will have gloves, tarps (donated by Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program), and bottled water (donated by CCA) available at the site on Saturday, and at his office the Friday before. Questions can be directed to him at 361-983-4425, extension 223 or norman.boyd@tpwd.texas.gov .

Dan Alonso with the San Antonio Bay Foundation coordinates the effort near the Guadalupe River Delta from the boat ramp in Austwell. 830-660-4429 or dalonso@sabay.org.