Wildlife And Fisheries Remove Over 400 Abandoned Crab Traps

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — More than 50 volunteers helped round up more than 400 abandoned crab traps in border waters within Sabine Lake and adjacent bayous.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the Feb. 21 cleanup was conducted along with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and focused on border waters. The program is part of the Louisiana department's annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo, which started in 2004. Since then, nearly 25,000 traps have been removed from state waters.

Officials say removing the traps is imperative since they interfere with commercial fishing gear, create navigational hazards and reduce visual appeal of the environment.