Ghost Trap Rodeo

This angler-led restoration project, designed by Ocean Aid 360 and Coastal Conservation Association, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is built on the belief that shallow water anglers – tailing redfish stalkers, mullet net assassins, beachfront pass crab casters, and mangrove snook pluggers – know their local waters as well or better than anyone. The Ghost Trap Rodeo is an opportunity to show what you know, to find and remove derelict crab traps, which catch and kill unchecked, and other forms of marine debris that negatively impact our fishery. This tournament is a great opportunity to connect with fellow watermen and water women while improving marine habitat and to compete for fishing and boating prizes donated by well-known sponsors.

The Ghost Trap Rodeo promotes community awareness of marine debris challenges facing Florida’s inshore fishery, mobilizing thousands of recreational and commercial angler volunteers for the detection and retrieval of ghost traps, abandoned fishing gear, and other types of man-made solid waste. Contestants provide a species bycatch inventory and approximate location of debris hotspots.