Greetings!
If any of you are interested in a morning on the Bay doing something good for the aquatic environment consider coming out and participating in the annual abandoned crab trap removal program for Christmas Bay!
The Water: Christmas Bay is one of the westernmost segments of the Galveston Bay complex. It is also the first officially designated Texas Coastal Preserve. It currently contains the best remaining sea grass beds in the bay complex, and a very diverse community of fin fish and invertebrates. Many of these organisms are vulnerable to being trapped in abandoned crab traps and dying there, hence the program.
Other participant organizations: The Christmas Bay Foundation, The Gulf Coast Rescue Squad, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Brazoria County Parks all provide boats to haul volunteers around the bay and associated marshes. Depending on where you are assigned you could be on a motor craft, air boat, or potentially even a kayak.
Logistics: Arrive at San Luis Pass Park by 0800 for information session, waiver signing, and assignment to boats. Head out onto the bay and search for abandoned crab traps (usually identified by attached buoys) and haul as many as you find. You also get an opportunity to admire the various other organisms trapped in them. Return to the Park by 1200 for lunch (provided). There is no formal sign up, but giving me a heads up if you plan to attend would be good.
This is generally a nice day on the bay, with an opportunity to meet some of the folks involved with managing coastal resource on the UTC. Feel free to share this information, or invite others who might be interested.
BRB