Commercial blue crab traps must be removed from the water through January the 10th

Commercial blue crabs traps have to be removed from state waters in our area for the next 10 days so that derelict traps can be removed from the bay.

The commercial blue crab closure begins today and runs through Wednesday, January the 14th.

The closure includes waters from Franklin County to the Florida/ Alabama border- it extends from the shoreline out to 9 nautical miles and includes all inland waters in the regions.

Waters of the Ochlockonee River and Bay are not included in the closure.

The closure only affects people who use standard blue crab traps. 

People can still harvest blue crabs with other gear including dip nets and fold-up traps.

Recreational fishermen can continue to use blue crab traps as long as the traps are attached to private property.

The closure allows officials to remove abandoned blue crab traps from state waters.

Abandoned crab traps present problems as they can continue to trap crabs and fish when they are not maintained. 

They can also damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters. 

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