The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for volunteers interested in helping to remove abandoned crab traps — ghostlike killers of marine life — from their haunts along the coast.

Starting Feb. 15 and continuing through Feb. 24, all Texas bays will be closed for crabbing. Any traps left in the water will be assumed to be abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.

Since TPWD’s Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program began in 2002, a total of 29,552 wire mesh traps have been removed and disposed of, mainly on the mid and upper coast. This year, the department hopes to see the count rise above 30,000.

State game wardens remove more than 2,500 illegal traps annually, but many more still lie in the water to tangle fishermen’s lines, trap game fish and crabs through what biologists call “ghost fishing,” snag bay shrimpers’ nets and create an unsightly view of Texas shores.

“It is estimated that one ghost fishing crab trap can trap and kill 26 blue crabs per trap per year,” said Art Morris, TPWD program coordinator. “So, the 29,552 traps we have removed add up to over 480,000 blue crabs alone that have been saved from ghost fishing — if the trap was lost for only one year.  Some traps had been derelict since 1998.”

One study based on a biological inventory of 1,703 abandoned crab traps revealed 3,675 organisms in those traps, averaging two per trap.  Some had many more.

“Naturally, we saw blue crabs and stone crabs, but we also saw just about every species of important Texan sport fish,” Morris said. “In addition, we found 10 non-game fish species and 11 invertebrate species and even diamond-backed terrapins.  Forty-one species in all.”

To facilitate volunteer trap removal efforts this year, TPWD will provide trap drop-off sites at several locations in each major bay system along the coast starting Feb.16, from 8 a.m. to noon, depending on the weather. Additionally, at all sites, dumpsters marked with banners will be available to receive traps for the duration of the closure.

Volunteers can concentrate their efforts on the opening weekend or work at their own pace anytime during the closure, but traps cannot be removed prior to Feb.15 or after Feb. 24. TPWD asks that those who work on their own report where and how many traps you collected so the department can keep track of the total number of traps removed.

“The success of this program is a reflection of the keen sense of stewardship anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts have for our marine resources,” Morris said.

“Volunteers have removed more traps from Texas waters than in any other state and the results show.  The waning number of traps removed each year indicates that their efforts are having an impact.”

The Coastal Conservation Association Texas, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, and the Galveston Bay Foundation are providing continued support to the crab trap removal program. Along with additional aid from numerous organizations and companies who are volunteering their services.

To participate, volunteers can arrange to pickup free tarps, gloves, trap hooks and additional information at their local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Field Stations. TPWD requests that volunteers who remove traps record and submit information about the number of traps that they collect as well as any sightings of diamond-back terrapins.

Crab Trap Removal Dates: February 15 – 24

For more information about the Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program and how you can volunteer, please contact your local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Office or Art Morris at the Corpus Christi Field Station: (361) 825-3356 or email: crabtrap@tpwd.state.tx.us.

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

•  Charlie’s Bait Stand – Facilitated & trap drop-off site

• Port O’Connor TPWD Docks  – Facilitated & Trap drop-off site

If the weather cooperates February 16 will be the target day for the consolidated effort.  The POC CCA chapter will provide lunch at the POC TPWD site and Texas Saltwater Magazine will provide lunch at Charlie’s Bait Camp.

Edo, the Crowleys’ exchange student, is such a good sport! The girls are making him have a tea party* spoken in an English accent.

Do you like to travel? I’m sure the popular answer is yes; however most of us don’t get to explore the world until later in life. I recently learned how teens can explore the world and learn about cultures — continents away.

Kimberly and husband, Jose Cano, became a host family to Sabrina Rauchegger this year. Sabrina is sixteen and from Scheifling, Austria; a small village about two hours from Vienna. She is currently a junior at Calhoun High School.

The Canos’ signed up in December of last year, at that point Sabrina had not been placed with a host family yet. Normally the students live with their host family for a year. The foundation asked if they would go ahead and take her in. Therefore Sabrina will be with the family for six months.

A very close friend of theirs has hosted kids for quite sometime now. She loves it and the Canos’ thought it would be an amazing experience for them, the student, and their kids.

Sabrina learned about the foreign exchange program via a classmate back in Austria who had come to the United States. She said when her classmate returned and described her experience, Sabrina knew she wanted to do it. “Sabrina loves it, she says the culture is so different, in a good and fun way,” Kim said. “She has even talked about attending college in the states.”

The Canos’ have two daughters who are five and three, Kim says that’s a whole new experience for Sabrina as well. Sabrina’s says there really aren’t any young kids in her family as her youngest sibling is thirteen.
“It’s been great, fun, and exciting. Until about a month ago, Sabrina had never tried Mexican food or Dr. Pepper, now she can’t get enough,” said Kimberley. “Everywhere we go she is constantly snapping photos. It’s really opened up OUR eyes to our beautiful little town. We’re so used to living here that we miss the great view of the bay every day when we drop our kids off at school. Our girls enjoy her being here as well. They introduce her as their sister to everyone.”

Melissa and husband, Dr. Bill Crowley have two exchange students: Edoardo Calvo and Martin Ziniel. Both attend Calhoun High School. This is the Crowleys’ second time becoming a host family.

All three foreign exchange students were found via the organization, EF Foundation for Foreign Study, http://www.effoundation.org. EF Foundation exchange students come from twenty-five countries including Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Norway and Korea. Currently, twelve foreign exchange students attend Calhoun High School.

Edoardo is from Italy and has been with them since October. He is seventeen, but will turn eighteen in May.
Martin is from Austria and arrived in January. He is fifteen, but will turn sixteen this month. All three students will return home in June.

Martin

“We have learned many different things from our students. The different cultures; how they react with American students — the things they eat,” said Melissa. “The language barrier is a little difficult at first. Even though our students know English, it’s basic. We have different words for different things. They both are quick learners and don’t hesitate to ask if they don’t understand something.”

Both students chose to travel abroad to see what the American way of life is like, in addition to learning better English.

They have told Melissa that they really enjoy it here and much like Sabrina, Edoardo would like to come back to America to practice. He plans on studying medicine specializing in pediatrics. He has shadowed the local pediatrician, Dr. Jeannine Griffin. “Edoardo loves watching her take care of the children,” Melissa commented. “Martin’s interest is computers. He is learning more and more English each day.”

The foundation attempts to place students with families that have similar interests such as arts, sports, cooking or in the Crowley’s case — medicine. The EF foundation offers the students and families support twenty-four hours, seven days a week plus multiple discounts and coupons. The foundation prides itself as administering one of the highest quality programs in the exchange industry.

Thank you to both families for sharing their experience as host families. I greatly enjoyed learning about the program. Imagine studying your junior year of high school in Italy! I leave you with that thought, till next time DT readers.

The Cano sisters with new sister, Sabrina, at the Riverwalk in San Antonio.Antonio.

Have you heard the latest about all those folks from the Cuero area that have made an amazing fortune from the drilling by fracking on their properties? And, now, some are coming to Port O’Connor and buying places here? Just a warm welcome to all of them.

I know it’s sometime in the future, but Bunco will meet again on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the back room of the Community Center. Ladies, if you’re interested, do plan on coming for a fun evening of good food and conversation and even some playing. Contact Shirley Gordon at the Library for further information.

The bang-bangs have now stopped early in the mornings. At least, from the duck hunters who start out at an unbelievable hour to hunt … those poor, unsuspecting creatures that take to the air when they see a shotgun being held by a man nearby! Hey, guys, I’m having fun here!

Don’t forget the Arts & Crafts Festival of the Lions Club in March – the 16th. I understand that booths have been taken both locally and out of the area by a number of artists and many vendors of various items. Contact Joyce Jordan at 655-7999 for further details.

Our prize-winning Elementary School still needs the help of several dedicated volunteers to spend an hour or two each week with a kid that needs an extra push. If you have the time and the desire to receive more than you can give, contact Lydia Strakos (983-2341), our wonderfully involved Principal at the School with your name and the hours you can help.

How many residents know of the excellent service that our Volunteer Fire Department provides? What each of those incredible members who are on call each day do is truly a task of total dedication for our community. More later.

If anyone has the opportunity to become a guest at a happening where the Smokin’ Nuts BBQ are out in force, don’t be hesitant and shy. Grab your plate and do not yield your place in line (but be polite) to get some of their excellent food. I was privileged once to obtain a plate, and I sure went back for seconds in a hurry. And, these guys, not only spend all night long cooking, but frequently provide their services at a discounted fee. Now that’s really the spirit of POC!

Friends of the Library are starting off the year of 2013 with a bang! The Friends are planning their booth at the Lions Club Arts & Crafts Festival in March selling books. If you are looking for something special to read at a discounted price, be sure to visit the Festival on March 16th.

Being up early in the morning to walk the dog, my favorite activity at 6:45 a.m., I have this opportunity to enjoy the start of each day; i.e., as the sunrise greets me. Many mornings there will scarcely be an inclination that you can see that the sun has actually risen; others, will simply floor you with their beauty. Several days ago pretty much of a “nothing” was the start of the day; but one morning it was as though the Master Painter had taken his paint brush filled with rose and lavender colors and streaked them in large swoops across the sky. Stunning and what a way to start the day.

kubeckasue@yahoo.com
361 798-0560

Port O’Connor School students earning an award for Bringing Up Grades (BUG) for the 3rd 6 weeks are: Noah Guzman, Sam Thumann, Ladybug Donna Boyd, Javier Ayala and Rebecca Kalafatis.