Crab fishing to close in the San Juan Islands, the Bellingham-to-Anacortes area, and South Sound

March 5, 2003

March 5, 2003

Crab fishing to close in the San Juan Islands, the
Bellingham-to-Anacortes area, and South Sound

Action: The recreational crab fishery in Marine Areas 11, 13 and portions of Marine Area 7 including the San Juan Islands and the Anacortes and Bellingham areas will close to all sport crabbing March 9, 2003, until further notice.

Effective date: 12:01 a.m., March 9, 2003

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab

Location: The closure includes Marine Areas 11, 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.

Reason for action: Soft crab emerging from their molt at this time are subject to high mortality rates associated with handling.

Other information: The following Marine Areas are currently closed to crab fishing: 8-1, 8-2, 9,10, and 12. 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; 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.