Conservation Commissioner Christopher Blankenship announces a two-day closed season for the taking of crabs by the use of commercial or recreational crab traps on March 23-24, 2018. The closure area is in Mobile Bay north of a line which extends from the southwestern tip of Little Sand Island to Mayday Pier. The closure is pursuant to Section 9-2-7, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.52.
Commercial and recreational crab fishermen should remove all crab traps from waters within the closure area described above prior to March 23, 2018. Any crab traps remaining in the closed area during the two-day closed season will be considered marine litter and can be removed by any individual. Anyone who removes crab traps from the closure zone does so under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division and all collected traps must be disposed of in the Marine Resources Division-identified dumpster located at the Choccalotta Bay Boat Ramp. The removal of traps by any individual, unless otherwise licensed/permitted to do so, in any area south of this region, is strictly prohibited.
Use of an airboat is allowed during the closure provided the airboat operator registers with the Marine Resources Division no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Anyone using an airboat within the Marine Resources Division’s jurisdiction that is not registered with the Marine Resources Division will be in violation of the law and subject to punishment as provided by law.
This Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program event is a coordinated effort between the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program and the Marine Resources Division. Everyone is invited to participate in this clean-up. Interested groups or individuals should contact Jason Herrmann at the Marine Resources Division office (251-861-2882) or send an e-mail to
