"Water Sweepers, I want to tell you about the most overlooked type of derelict trap in Florida waters — fish traps. Most people have never heard of them. That's part of what makes them so dangerous."
Fish Traps — The Hidden Ghost Gear
Fish traps are the most overlooked type of derelict gear in Florida waters. Unlike crab traps, which most people recognize, fish traps are large wire mesh cages designed to catch fin fish — not crabs. Most people have never even heard of them, and that's exactly what makes them so dangerous. When they go derelict — and historically, they did by the thousands — they sit on reefs and the seafloor catching everything indiscriminately. A derelict fish trap on a reef is a silent, invisible killing machine that can ghost fish for a decade or more. Understanding what fish traps are, why they were banned, and how to report them is a critical part of being a Water Sweeper.
