CRAB TRAP CLEANUP, 2: The number of crab traps collected 
in the Gulf has declined [:03 Which really tells us we're doing a very 
good job] When decline is good ... on Passport to Texas.

Passport to Texas from TPW and the SFWR Program

You might not realize it, but when crab traps get loose, 
they can be hazardous to marine life, which is why a 
yearly effort is made to retrieve as many errant crab traps 
as possible.

The first year we did it we got the most. And we got about eight 
thousand traps that very first year. :06

Mike Ray is acting division director for coastal fisheries. 

That number has been declining some over time, which really 
tells us we're doing a very good job. This last year, we ended up 
collecting about thirteen hundred, and again, that's the least 
number that we've had. :13

This year's eighth annual cleanup in February netted 
nearly 2-thousand traps. Mike Rays says citizens may only 
retrieve these traps during the sanctioned cleanup.

They are considered trash for just that period of time. And the 
commercial crabbers will have their traps out the rest of the 
year in a legal manner. :08

And what happens to all the traps that are collected?

The vast majority of them are in very poor shape. And, they will 
be crushed and be hauled to a landfill, is what usually happens 
with them. Some of the better ones, we do use them at times in 
our educational programs--the very best of them. There can be 
some other uses, but for the most part, we do dispose of them. 
 ... . :18

That's our show ... with support from the SFWR Program ... 
providing funding for the operations and management of 
Sea Center Texas. 

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti. 


Total sound bite time:		 0:45.0
Maximum Script time:		 0:40.0 Suggested show time: 85.0 = 1:25