Written by: Key Largo The Florida Keys

Ghost’ Trap Rodeo removes more than 700 derelict stone crab and lobster traps

Any lobster or stone crabs found in the traps during the rodeo were returned to the ocean unharmed. Lobster mini-season is Wednesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 28, with the regular season opening on Aug. 6.

Monroe County Project Management and Monroe County Solid Waste helped offset costs associated with disposal fees for a Ghost Trap Rodeo organized by the nonprofit Ocean Aid 360. Ocean Aid 360’s mission is to help improve the quality of Florida’s water by removing harmful derelict traps, also known as ghost traps. The event lasted three days and included 11 local boat captains hired to collect the ghost traps in the waters off the Lower Florida Keys.

Project Management became involved to meet environmental mitigation requirements associated with the recent sand renourishment project at Higgs Beach in Key West and agreed to collect 45 derelict lobster traps from the waters near the beach. The captains collected more than 700 lobster and stone crab ghost traps through an FWC permit. Ocean Aid 360 weighed and documented all marine debris for reporting purposes.

Monroe County used grant funding to offset some of the dump and disposal fees for the rodeo. Monroe County Marine Resources also participated in the coordination of the event. To learn more about the nonprofit Ocean Aid 360, visit www.oceanaid360.org

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Tags: , , Last modified: July 31, 2022