Rules and regulations
NEW! Line marking information rules required for coastal Dungeness crab fishery participants beginning December 1, 2025. See compliance guide (PDF) for more information.
WAC 220-340-420: Commercial crab fishery—Unlawful acts.
- Crab size and sex restriction
- Incidental catch may not be retained
- Net fishing boats must not have crab on board
- Area must be open to commercial crabbing
- Unlawful to buy or land crab without hold inspection
- Coastal – barging of crab pots
- Electronic monitoring system requirements
WAC 220-340-430: Commercial crab fishery—Buoy tag, pot tag, and buoy requirements.
- Buoy tag and pot tag required
- Pot tag requirements
- Buoy requirements
- Annual online buoy registration requirements (registration form)
- Line marking requirements (compliance guide (PDF))
- Surface gear limitations
WAC 220-340-435: Commercial crab fishery—Shellfish pot requirements.
- Commercial gear limited to pots and ring nets
- Commercial gear escape rings and ports defined
- Maximum size for commercial crab pots
- Groundline gear is unlawful
- Penalty
WAC 220-340-450: Commercial crab fishery—Seasons and areas—Coastal
WAC 220-340-460: Commercial crab fishery—Coastal Dungeness crab logbook requirements.
WAC 220-340-480: Commercial crab fishery—Gear limits—Coastal.
- Coastal crab pot limit
- Summer fishery landing requirements
- Grays Harbor pot limit of 200
- Determination of coastal crab pot limits
- Appeals of coastal crab pot limits
- Summer management period- Pot limits