Tampa Bay's Ghost Trap Rodeo

Ocean Aid 360 presents The Ghost Trap Rodeo's Tampa Bay Home Coming!

On Saturday, July 17, 2021 the Ghost Trap Rodeo is coming home to Tampa Bay! The FREE event - to find and remove derelict crab traps and other forms of marine litter - will be held simultaneously at six public boat ramps (Fort DeSoto, Gandy Bridge, Courtney Campbell Causeway, Belleair Causeway, Warner's Bayou, Williams Park) between 9am and 1pm on Saturday, July 17. Upon arrival, participants will check in, receive individualized swag bags, t-shirts, Rodeo supplies, and basic search instructions (baitfish traps must be left in place). Supplies will consist of a gelcoat safety blanket, gloves, tin snips, burlap sacks for small debris, and more. After the completion of the four-hour search, participants will return to their selected event launch site for debris offloading and sorting, and a free lunch catered by local restaurants.

Thanks to our partners at FWC we will be operating this clean up during the 10-day trap fishing closure. This window of opportunity allows us to remove any trap found in the watershed that may have been moved during a storm, had it's buoy cut off by a boat or has been abandoned by it's angler.

We're excited to be partnering with Tampa Bay Watch, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Coastal Conservation Association and Coastal Impact Fund to make this multi-location search a success!

Ocean Aid 360's Ghost Trap Rodeo Event Series is dedicated to improving and maintaining the health of Florida's sensitive marine environments for the longevity of our shallow water fishery and we hope you'll join us on July 17th!

Upon arrival, participants will check in, receive their swag bags and supplies, and receive a short FWC training on proper removal of marine debris and derelict traps (as all fishable traps and baitfish traps must be left in place). Supplies will consist of a tarp, gloves, tin snips, burlap sacks for small debris, and more. After the completion of the four-hour search, participants will return for free lunch, weigh-in of their debris, and prize ceremony based on leaderboard position. 

Please register at the link and contact info@oceanaid360.org with any questions. Thanks!