Mississippi’s Crab Trap Recovery Program: Keeping Our Coast Clean
If you love fishing, crabbing, or just spending time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you’ve probably seen crab traps stacked along docks or corks bobbing in the bays. But what about the ones that get left behind?
These abandoned or “derelict” crab traps are a big problem for our waters. They can:
Ghost fish — continuing to catch crabs and fish even when no one is checking them.
Damage boats — props and trolling motors get torn up when they hit a hidden trap.
Pollute marshes — traps washed into wetlands create eyesores and hazards.
That’s where the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Crab Trap Recovery Program comes in. Since 1999, the program has been pulling thousands of lost traps from the Mississippi Sound and surrounding waters — protecting both the fishery and the environment.
How the Crab Trap Recovery Works
Public Cleanups – Every few years, MDMR hosts community cleanup events. Volunteers, commercial crabbers, and recreational fishermen team up to haul traps out of the bays. In 2024, more than 300 crab traps were collected in just one event.
High-Tech Recovery – Today, MDMR uses sonar tools like Garmin LiveScope to scan the seafloor for traps that would otherwise stay hidden. Already in 2025, the program has recovered over 220 traps using this method.
Recycling & Reuse – Tagged traps in good condition are returned to their owners. The rest are recycled at scrap facilities right here on the Coast.
Why This Program Matters for Mississippi Fisheries
The blue crab fishery in Mississippi is healthy and thriving, with high demand and strong populations. By removing abandoned traps, MDMR helps ensure the resource stays sustainable for both commercial and recreational crabbers.
This work also supports:
Marine life protection – preventing unnecessary loss of crabs, fish, and other wildlife.
Boater safety – keeping waterways clear for shrimpers, crabbers, and weekend anglers.
Gulf Coast conservation – making sure our marshes and bays stay clean and productive.
How You Can Help Keep Mississippi Waters Clean
✅ Make sure your traps are corked, tagged, and within legal limits (recreational crabbers can have up to six traps per license).
✅ Don’t place traps in navigation channels.
✅ Report lost or derelict traps to MDMR’s Office of Marine Fisheries.
✅ Volunteer for upcoming crab trap cleanup events.
Final Thoughts
The Mississippi Crab Trap Recovery Program is one of the best examples of local conservation in action. By combining tradition, new technology, and community effort, we’re protecting the coast, keeping fisheries sustainable, and making the Gulf safer for everyone.
👉 Want to hear more? Catch our full Brown Water Banter episode with Jason Saucier from MDMR to learn how you can get involved.
