Crab fishing to close April 7 in Marine Areas 4, 5 and 6

March 28, 2003

Action: The recreational crab fishery in Marine Areas 4,5,and 6 will close to all sport crabbing April 7, 2003, until further notice.

Effective date: 6:00 p.m., April 7, 2003

Species affected: All crab species

Location: Marine Areas 4, 5 and 6

Reason for action: The recreational crab fishery allocation has been taken.

Other information: The following Marine Areas are currently closed to crab fishing: 8-1, 8-2, 9,10, 11,12, 13 and the portion of Marine Area 7 that includes the San Juan Islands and the area from Anacortes to Bellingham easterly and southerly of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island including Bellingham, Samish and Padilla Bays, and westerly and southerly of a line from the southern most end of Lummi Island to the northernmost tip of Sinclair Island, and southerly of a line from the northernmost tip of Sinclair Island to Lawrence Point on Orcas Island and southerly of a line which runs from Steep Point on Orcas Island to Limestone Point on San Juan Island and then to Green Point on the eastern tip of Spieden Island and from the western tip of Spieden Island true west to the international boundary.

The northern part of Marine Area 7, including the waters north of Orcas Island, remain open.

Information contact: Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400;Therese Cain (360) 586-1498 ext 210, Norm Lemberg, LaConner District Office, (360) 466-4345 ext. 240; or Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.