New Hampshire Coastal Lobster Trap Cleanup Set for April 29

DURHAM, NH — If you’re out for a walk on New Hampshire’s beaches on Saturday, April 29, 2017, you may see more activity than usual. Commercial fishermen and others will be out that day collecting lobster traps and other fishing gear that winter storms have washed up on the beaches and shoreline.

All individuals with a lobster trap license of any kind are invited to participate in the trap cleanup. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. on April 29 in both Rye Harbor and the Hampton Harbor State Marina.

This year’s trap cleanup effort is a partnership between the New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors, and Hampton Public Works Department, as well as New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Great Bay Stewards who are proving funding for disposal of the gear.

This is the 24th year for the coastal trap cleanup. Last year, more than 50 commercial fishermen helped clean up more than 7 tons of lobster traps and fishing gear during the annual cleanup effort.

The general public is reminded that lobster pots and traps are private property. State law prohibits anyone but the gear owner or a NH Fish and Game Conservation Officer from possessing or moving them. To learn more about lobster harvesting, visit www.wildnh.com/marine/lobster.html.