Blue Crab trap closure coming for Wakulla County waters

Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the Wakulla-Franklin county line, including all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Bay, have to be removed from the water before July 20^th.

That is the first day of a 10-day trap closure.

This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.

Traps can be placed back in the water starting July 30th.

Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps.

Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure if the traps are attached to a dock or other private property.

Lost and abandoned blue crab traps are a problem in the blue crab fishery because they can continue to trap crabs and fish when left in the water.

They can also be unsightly in the marine environment, damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters on the water.

The closure is one of three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures that occur in 2013 on the Gulf coast of Florida. 

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