Crab fishermen must remove traps from state waters

GULF OF MEXICO — The executive directors of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality have issued an emergency order requiring the removal of all crab traps effective July 28 from Mississippi territorial marine waters, which were already under precautionary closure to all commercial and recreational fishing, including all species of finfish, crabs, shrimp and oysters.

This crab trap removal requirement is a result of oil sightings in this general area and the potential impacts on Mississippi’s coastal marine resources.

Any individuals retaining any marine species from the closed area will be required to immediately return them to the waters. The continuous monitoring of this situation is to ensure public safety and protection of Mississippi’s coastal resources, the agencies said.