April 14, 2003
Action: The recreational crab fishery in the northern part of Marine Area 7 will close April 16, 2003, until further notice.
Effective date: 8 p.m., April 16, 2003
Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab
Location: This closure marks the end of the crab season in the remaining portion of Marine Area 7 north of Bellingham Bay and Orcas Island.
Reason for action: Soft crab emerging from their molt at this time are subject to high mortality rates associated with handling.
Other information: All other Marine Areas in Puget Sound are currently closed to sport crabbing. Shell condition testing is beginning this week for the Everett portion of Marine Area 8-2.
Information contact: Steve Burton, Don Velasquez or David Meister, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311, Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Norm Lemberg, LaConner District Office, (360) 466-4345 ext. 240.
Effective date: 8 p.m., April 16, 2003
Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab
Location: This closure marks the end of the crab season in the remaining portion of Marine Area 7 north of Bellingham Bay and Orcas Island.
Reason for action: Soft crab emerging from their molt at this time are subject to high mortality rates associated with handling.
Other information: All other Marine Areas in Puget Sound are currently closed to sport crabbing. Shell condition testing is beginning this week for the Everett portion of Marine Area 8-2.
Information contact: Steve Burton, Don Velasquez or David Meister, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311, Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Norm Lemberg, LaConner District Office, (360) 466-4345 ext. 240.