2024 Lobster Trap Cleanup @ Goleta Beach

For the past three years, after the conclusion of the lobster fishing season, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper has surveyed local beaches and partnered with the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara to remove derelict traps from targeted shorelines. The organization recently identified an onshore lobster trap debris hotspot between Goleta Beach and More Mesa.  

On April 20th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the public is invited to help dig out buried lobster traps and place them at collection points along the beach where they will be loaded onto a commercial fishing vessel and transported to the Santa Barbara Harbor for reuse or proper disposal.   

In addition to cluttering up our beaches, derelict lobster traps can entangle marine wildlife, release microplastics, and create safety hazards for vessels and beachgoers. We hope you’ll join us and help get these traps off of the beach! 

Volunteers will gather at Goleta Beach and will walk down the beach towards More Mesa to remove traps. Protective clothing and closed-toe shoes are required as traps can have sharp edges. 

Volunteers will use shovels, bolt cutters, and pry bars to dig out buried traps, remove rocks and debris, and stage traps in piles for removal offshore to a commercial fishing boat. Fishermen from Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara will provide vessel support to load traps and transport them to the Santa Barbara Harbor.  

This is the fourth year of shoreline cleanup collaborations with the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. We’re excited to work together on this community event and we hope you’ll join us. 

Sign up at the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944AEAB2FA5FFC07-49059001-rescheduled