Ghost fishing activity in derelict blue crab traps in Louisiana

•Over 2years of cleanups, 3607 traps were removed from coastal Louisiana.•Volunteers identified 19 species captured in 1073 traps.•Citizen scientists documented 671 live and 61 dead blue crabs in derelict traps.•The rate of traps actively ghost fishing blue crab varied by location across Louisiana from 33% to 88%. Derelict crab traps impact the coastal ecosystem through continued catch of target species and species of conservation, economic, or recreational importance. During volunteer-supported crab trap cleanups in 2012 and 2013, we quantified ghost fishing activity in derelict crab traps in coastal Louisiana through a citizen scientist program. Volunteers removed 3607 derelict traps during these events, and over 65% of traps analyzed by citizen scientists were actively ghost fishing. Additionally, volunteers identified 19 species enmeshed in derelict traps, including a combination of fresh and saltwater species. We also detected a significant difference in the number of blue crab in actively ghost fishing derelict traps across removal locations with estimated catches varying between 2.4 and 3.5 crabs/trap. Our instantaneous estimates of ghost fishing activity are greater than those previously thought in Louisiana, further justifying current derelict crab trap prevention and removal extension and outreach programs in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.