MDMR announces crab trap closure January 21-31

BILOXI, Miss. – In an effort to remove derelict crab traps from state waters, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) will conduct a crab trap closure for commercial and recreational crab fishermen in Mississippi territorial waters within one-half mile of the mainland shoreline and Deer Island from the Alabama/Mississippi border to the Mississippi/Louisiana border. The closure will run from 6 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, until 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021.

The schedule for the removal of crab traps is as follows:

• 21 – 27 – All commercial and recreational crab fishermen must use this time to remove their own traps from closure areas in Mississippi territorial waters. As a reminder, it is illegal to remove traps licensed to another person outside of the approved trap removal dates. This will be strictly enforced.
• 28 – 30 – All traps remaining in the water will be considered derelict and will be removed and recycled. Volunteers may remove remaining traps from all state waters during these dates. Derelict traps may be dropped off at MDMR designated sites for recycling from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Point Park in Pascagoula, Ocean Springs Harbor and Pleasure Street Boat Launch in Bay St. Louis.
• 31 – Beginning at 6 a.m., all active traps may be returned to Mississippi territorial waters and crab fishing may resume.

The Mississippi Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program has removed and recycled almost 22,000 traps since its inception in 1999. Volunteers interested in participating in this year’s program can contact the MDMR Shrimp and Crab Bureau at (228) 374-5000 for more information.