#crab traps

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[rjzimmerman]

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Diamondback Terrapins

Center for Biological Diversity: Iconic Turtles Disappearing From Atlantic, Gulf Coasts

Excerpt from this press release from the Center for Biological Diversity:

The Center for Biological Diversity and 20 partner organizations petitioned NOAA Fisheries today to protect diamondback terrapins as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Aquatic turtles who live primarily in coastal marshes and estuaries from Massachusetts to Texas, these animals have declined by 75% across most of their range in the past 50 years.

“Tens of thousands of terrapins are drowning in crab traps each year. Without the lifeline of Endangered Species Act protection, they’ll sink into extinction,” said Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity.

In many locations along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, terrapin populations have been wiped out completely.

Drowning in crab traps is a leading cause of death. These traps are submerged cages with funneled entrances that catch both crabs and air-breathing terrapins. Around 3 million crab traps are deployed each year by recreational and commercial crabbers, which kill tens of thousands of diamondback terrapins annually.

In addition, between 25% and 50% of all crab traps are lost or abandoned annually in coastal waters. These derelict cages — called ghost traps — kill tens of thousands more terrapins every year. Researchers estimate 60,000 to 80,000 terrapins are killed in active and abandoned crab traps each year.

Yet simple, proven solutions exist that could save terrapins. Bycatch reduction devices installed on crab traps have no negative effects on crab harvests, but they reduce diamondback terrapin deaths by 94%.

Terrapins are also threatened by habitat loss from sea-level rise and development. They’ve already lost half of their original wetlands and are expected to lose up to 60% of their coastal marsh habitat by the end of the century.

As these animals travel farther in search of habitat, thousands of egg-bearing females are killed along roads each year. Increasing pollution, poaching, predators, boat strikes and climate change also threaten them.

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March 18th, 2021

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[gestaltaggregation]

March 18th, 2021

[rjzimmerman]

Georgia Petition Seeks to Protect Diamondback Terrapins From Drowning in Crab Traps

Center for Biological Diversity: ATLANTA— Conservation groups today filed a petition asking the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a

Excerpt from this press release from the Center for Biological Diversity:

Conservation groups today filed a petition asking the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to adopt regulations that would protect diamondback terrapins from drowning in blue crab pots.

Such traps kill tens of thousands of these imperiled turtles a year across the country, but adding a little device to the pots can curb the problem.

“Georgia should protect diamondback terrapins from drowning in blue crab pots, especially since an inexpensive little device could pretty much fix this sad situation,” said Tara Zuardo, a senior wildlife advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s time for Georgia wildlife officials to follow other states and take basic steps to require that crab traps don’t kill more of these imperiled turtles. It’s cheap, it’s simple, and it could save thousands of turtles.”

Diamondback terrapins, found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas, are the only turtles in the world who live exclusively in coastal estuaries. These estuaries are also home to blue crabs, which are trapped in crab pots. Crab pots trap and drown imperiled diamondback terrapins, who have suffered population declines of 75% across most of their range in the past 50 years.

Today’s petition was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, One Hundred Miles, Skidaway Audubon, Altamaha Riverkeeper and Coastal Plan Conservation Group and urges the state to require bycatch reduction devices on all blue crab pots in near-shore waters where terrapins are frequently found. When installed on crab pot entrance funnels, these small and inexpensive devices prevent most terrapins from entering the pot, while having little to no effect on crab haul.

Experts agree that blue crab pots pose the greatest threat to diamondback terrapins, with 60,000 to 80,000 killed in active and abandoned crab traps each year along America’s coasts. Baited blue crab pots are known to trap and drown terrapins, while fleets of traps are capable of steadily killing turtles until a population cannot sustain itself. Abandoned or lost traps — called ghost pots — can capture terrapins by the dozen.

[caloutdoors]

The Story of California’s Lone Wolverine

The Story of California’s Lone Wolverine

Image of a wolverine caught on a CDFW game camera in 2010. (CDFW file photo)

Question:Wolverines are thought to be extinct in California, is that correct? When I was younger my oldest brother and dad told me they spotted a wolverine at our cabin in the Sierra but that was over 10 years ago. I have also heard of sightings from neighbors. Is it possible there are wolverines still thriving in the…

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How to Set Crab Traps?

There are very few foods that are as delicious as crabs. People don’t only love to eat crab but also love to catch them.

Though crabs also, live in water like fishes but catching crab is quite different than fishing. A crab trap is the best way to catch crabs.

To catch crabs with traps, at first you have to set the trap properly. In this post, I am going to tell you about setting crab traps.

 Setting crab traps

Setting a crab trap is not a very difficult task to do. In this article, you will come to know how to set a crab trap.

 Things you need to set a crab trap

If you have all the necessary equipment, then it becomes easier to set the crab trap. Here is the list of the necessary equipment that you need to set the trap:

1. Crab Pot – There are various two shapes of crab pots available in the market: square shape and round shape. You can use any of them.

2. Zip ties- you can buy collapsible type zip ties which will help you to store easily.

3. A bait cage- In a bait cage, you will set the bait for the crab.

4. Weighted ropes

5. A buoy- When you are trying to catch multiple items with multiple traps, use red and white buoys for crabs and remember, the red buoys are for shrimps. A buoy is used as a marker.

6. Bait- you can use chicken meat, small fishes and are things as your bait for the crabs.

 Weighting the trap

When you have gathered all the necessary equipment, now its time for setting the trap.

You must have selected a place where you want to set the trap. Now you have to sink the trap in that place. If you only sink the trap, it can make movements due to the tide. So, it is necessary to put some weight inside the trap so that it doesn’t move from the selected location. You can put some weighted rope inside the trap to keep it in place.

 Prepare the bait

Now it’s time to do the most important job, preparing the bait. Without a bait, a crab will not become attracted towards your trap. That means the success of crabbing depends on proper baits. Chicken meat can be the perfect bait for crabs.

Put on your gloves and cut the chicken in small and long thin pieces. Don’t make them too small to set with the lures.

 Baiting the trap

Tie the bait with a strong fishing line. The other end of the fishing line should be tied with the traps’ door tightly. When the crab will bite the bait, the fishing line will feel a pull and the door of that cage will close automatically.

 Securing the Trap

Tie the trap with a strong rope and tie another end of the rope with stable support such as your boat or ship. Make sure the rope is long enough to reach the lower level of the water.

 Lowering the Trap

Now lower the trap into the water. Do the job gently. Otherwise, it may frighten the crabs inside the water and they won’t come any closer to your trap.

 Conclusion

Crabbing is great fun. But the success of your crabbing depends on setting the trap properly. After reading the whole article, I hope it will become a lot easier for you to set a crab trap.