Lobster Trap Cleanup Saturday

Commercial fishermen and others will be combing Seacoast beaches and shoreline Saturday as part of an annual cleanup of lobster traps and fishing gear.

Groups will be out picking up gear that's washed up over the winter. The effort is a partnership between New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen's Association, New Hampshire Fish and Game, New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors, Hampton Department of Public Works, UNH Sea Grant and Fishing for the Energy Partnership.

Fish and Game reports that more than 50 commercial fishermen helped clean up 20 tons of lobster traps and fishing gear last year.

The cleanup begins at 7:30 a.m. April 19 at Rye Harbor and at the Hampton Harbor State Marina.

NH Fish and Game offered an important reminder: "The general public is reminded that lobster pots and traps are private property. State law prohibits anyone but the gear owner or a N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officer from possessing or moving them."