Coastal commercial crab fishery rules, regulations, and licensing

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 220-340-420Commercial 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 220-340-430Commercial 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 220-340-435Commercial 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 220-340-460Commercial crab fishery—Coastal Dungeness crab logbook requirements.

WAC 220-340-480Commercial 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

Licensing information