Outdoors news and notes

Making News

Groups To remove Derelict Crab Traps

On Saturday, the nonprofit conservation organization Tampa Bay Watch, the Florida Airboat Association and community volunteers will participate in a crab trap removal effort in the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve and the Little Manatee River. The Florida Airboat Association will provide 14 airboats to aid in locating and retrieving derelict traps. The primary objective of the project is to remove derelict traps from the environment and to reduce unnecessary entrapment of marine organisms, such as blue crabs, stone crabs, small fish and brackish water turtles. Manatees, dolphins and sea turtles can also become entangled in the trap lines, causing injury or death. For information on this project, contact Serra Herndon at sherndon@ tampabaywatch.org.

hunting

Special season for reptiles of concern

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering hunters a special chance to capture and remove reptiles of concern from state-managed lands around the Everglades. From March 8 to April 17, those with a hunting license and a $26 management area permit may take reptiles of concern (Indian python, reticulated python, northern and southern African rock python, amethystine or scrub python, green anaconda and Nile monitor lizard) on the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger wildlife management areas. During cooler months, cold-blooded reptiles sun themselves on levees, canal banks and roadways to warm up. This makes them easier to spot, capture and remove. For information, visit MyFWC.com and look for "Reptiles of concern" under the Hunting heading.

Upcoming events

Today-Sunday: Sweetwater Kayaks' annual Paddle- sports Symposium, featuring classes and presentations from renowned coaches and paddlers. Cost varies. For information, visit the shop (13060 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg), the Web site (www.sweetwaterkayaks.com) or call (727) 570-4844.

• March 3: Beginning of five-week adult basic sailing class, Boca Ciega Yacht Club. Course includes five Wednesday evening classes and four weekend waterfront sessions using the club's Catalina 16.5 fleet. Cost is $225 per person and includes all classroom materials and an U.S. Sailing Association Basic Keelboat manual. For registration information, visit www.sail bcyc.org or call Jennifer Rogers at (727) 345-7544.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer