Why We Do This: The Real Cost of Derelict Gear

Every trap we remove protects species like manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and countless fish from ghost fishing and entanglement. These images and videos tell the story.

Manatees & Entanglement

Crab trap rope and monofilament line both entangle manatees — this video shows exactly how it happens and the devastating impact on these gentle animals in Florida waters. Video courtesy of Save the Manatee Club

Crab Traps in Action

Real footage showing crab trap rope and monofilament line and the serious hazards they pose to marine wildlife in Florida waters.

Dolphin Entangled in Crab Trap Lines

A mother dolphin is untangled from crab trap lines in Brevard County, Florida and reunited with her calf — a powerful reminder of why removing derelict gear matters.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Rescued From Crab Trap

A loggerhead sea turtle found entangled in crab trap line off the Florida coast is rescued by Good Samaritans and Miami-Dade deputies — showing exactly why derelict gear is so dangerous.

Ghost Traps Still Fishing

Underwater footage of a graveyard of lost crab traps — see how derelict traps keep catching and killing fish and crabs long after they're abandoned. This is exactly what we prevent with every trap we pull.

Thousands of Ghost Traps Threaten Sea Life

A powerful look at the sheer scale of the ghost-trap problem and the threat lost gear poses to marine life — the reason removal programs like ours are so urgent.

The Crab Trap Collectors

Watch a volunteer derelict-trap removal program in action — thousands of lost traps pulled from the water in just days. This is exactly the kind of work your support makes possible here in Florida.