Each year, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department closes the coast to crab fishing for 10 days to support the Annual Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, a coast-wide effort that reduces threats to marine life, improves navigation safety, and supports healthier bays.
During the 2025 Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, volunteers across the Texas Mid-Coast removed more than 1,000 abandoned crab traps from coastal waters.
This year, Galveston Bay Foundation is inviting boaters to help continue that work in Galveston Bay.
Two ways to participate:
COMPLETED! Read the Collection Event Recap
On February 21, 35 volunteers and partners launched 9 vessels from the Anahuac Boat Ramp for a successful crab trap removal event. Together, we removed 55 abandoned traps and freed 155 live animals, including 127 Blue Crabs, along with Mud Crabs, Catfish, Sheepshead, Sole, Perch, and Flounder. Thank you to everyone who helped make this effort possible.
Remove traps on your own during the 10-day closure
Boaters may remove abandoned crab traps anytime during the official 10-day closure period and still contribute to this important effort.
Sign up to participate and get all the details here:
https://forms.office.com/r/DLhisFmQjg
Good news for the Bay: due to the success of past removal efforts, land-based volunteers are not needed this year, reflecting real progress for our coastal waters.
For questions, contact volunteer@galvbay.org.
