An abandoned crab pot found near a marsh last weekend did include a few crabs, but also contained a grim surprise. The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) last weekend received a call from a concerned resident who noticed an abandoned crab pot that appeared to contain something suspicious. An OCPD Animal Control officer responded to the call, pulled the crab pot from the marsh and discovered a young river otter had apparently entered the pot seeking food, could not get back out and drowned.
The grim discovery led to the MCBP this week re-issuing a reminder to recreational crabbers to include by-catch reduction devices (BRDs), sometimes called turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on their crab pots. The device is a simple metal or plastic piece that is installed at each entrance of the crab pot that allows crabs to enter and be retained, while preventing larger animals such as river otters and terrapins, for example, from entering the traps. Last summer, a single abandoned crab pot pulled from Assawoman Bay contained over 20 dead terrapins.
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3 comments:
who's name is on the pot? no name? good to see dnr is out there checking on these things. Wonder how long it's been there without dnr ever noticing it? oh that's right they would actually have to get off their asses and actually go out and look around and do more then waiting for something to fall into their laps!
DNR = do not resusitate!
It was an illegal crab pot to start with. Recreational crab POTS (2) are only allowed for waterfront property owners, and they have to be attached to the property (bulkhead / land), or the property owner's pier. Just because they can be bought at your local marine supply store, does not make it legal for just anyone to buy one and use it.
Actually they can be on corks out in the creek, read the rules.
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