The Alabama Marine Resources Division (MRD) invites the public to take part in a derelict crab trap cleanup in Mobile Bay on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, 2019. The derelict traps will be marked on Friday and removed on Saturday. There will be a post-event social at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, Ala., on Saturday, April 20. Interested groups or individuals should contact Jason Herrmann with the MRD at 251-861-2882, or by email at jason.herrmann@dcnr.alabama.gov.

This Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program event is a coordinated effort between MRD, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Volunteer kayakers are needed on April 19 to help MRD mark derelict crab traps in the shallow flats of the Upper Mobile Bay across from the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship. The main cleanup event will take place the following day.

On April 20, small shallow-draft powered vessels will be needed to collect and deliver the derelict crab traps to the disposal site located at the Choccalotta Bay Boat Ramp.

Volunteers without vessels can help out onshore by moving the traps from the vessels to the dumpster. They may also ride along on a volunteer vessel with the permission of the vessel operator.

Useful Items to Bring: waders, work gloves, sunblock, water and snacks, wire snips, first aid kit, hat, tarps, hammers, tie-downs, radios and phones.

Staging Area: Choccalotta Bay Boat Ramp, 3101 Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort, Ala., 36527.

Date and Time: 8:30 a.m. on both Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20.

Post-cleanup Social: Saturday, April 20, at Meaher State Park, 5200 Battleship Parkway E., Spanish Fort, Ala., 36577.

AIRBOAT OPERATORS
Airboats will be permitted to participate in the cleanup but must register with MRD no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Any airboat operating under MRD jurisdiction that is not registered prior to the event will be in violation of the law and subject to citation.

DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL
Anyone who removes crab traps from the identified cleanup areas does so under MRD jurisdiction. All collected traps must be disposed of in the MRD dumpster located at the Choccalotta Bay Boat Ramp on the day of the cleanup.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL CATCHERS
Commercial and recreational crab catchers will not be required to remove traps that are placed and identified according to MRD regulations. Crab traps that do not have proper identification will be considered marine litter and can be removed by any individual participating in the cleanup during the two-day period.