Crab Trap Thievery

January 12, 2012

Question: Isn’t it illegal for someone other than the owner of a sport crab trap to pull, move or tamper with the trap and then take the crabs from inside? What about taking someone else’s traps and buoys or cutting off the attached rope? A lot of crab thefts have been going on along the California Central Coast this year and so I have resorted to using padlocks on my trap doors to discourage the theft of the crabs inside. Is there an issue with this? (Mike W.)

Answer: It is illegal to disturb, move or damage any trap, or remove any saltwater crustacean from a trap, that belongs to another person without having written permission in possession from the owner of the trap (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.80 (a)(3) and Fish and Game Code, section 9002(a)).

Regarding the use of padlocks to secure your trap doors and discourage theft, there is no law against it but it is not advised. Unlike commercial crab traps, sport traps are not required to contain a destruct device to allow the crabs to escape in the event the trap is lost. Without this device, a lost trap will remain closed and continue fishing/killing crabs for many years to come.

From an ethical standpoint to ensure this doesn’t happen, we suggest using a closing mechanism that will eventually disintegrate and allow any trapped crabs to escape. One suggestion is to tie the lid shut with a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less. If you want to keep using padlocks, another option is one that commercial crabbers use. You can cut away part of the wire mesh for the trap, and then weave cotton twine in the hole large enough for the crabs to escape (for commercial traps the opening has to be five inches in diameter). This way you can still secure the trap, and if your trap is lost it will not continue fishing/killing crabs for years. It will also allow you to remove crabs should your padlock get rusted shut.

If you suspect someone is illegally disturbing your traps, be sure to report this to your local warden or through CalTIP at 1-800-334-2258.

How would DFG know, if a trap in the possession of thieves, wasn't their trap?

I thought recreational traps were required to have cotton tied escape doors?

I'm sure people do raid pots as to some of the reason they are empty when checked. Usually these pots are on a long soak of multiple days. Remember the light gauge square pots are day soak pots not intended for longer soaks. Be sure to add at least 8-10 pounds of weight to your pot so they don't walk. Also use weights on your line or lead line rope to keep them up and down and not wandering just below the water line. Remember lots of boat traffic and many lines get wrapped on props and need to be cut away and your pot will be lost forever. Use just enough rope for the tide change to avoid other boats from wrapping their props. Some times it unavoidable but does happen often.

Dfw has been telling us for years that sport traps need escape devices.  Wth

Sport traps still need escape rings. Commercial pots need rotten cotton, but it wouldn't be a terrible idea for sport traps on case they get lost.