Crab fishing opens August 16 in northern part of Marine Area 7

August 13, 2003

August 13, 2003

Crab fishing opens August 16 in northern part of Marine Area 7

Action: The recreational crab fishery in the northern part of Marine Area 7 will open August 16, 2003, and remain open until further notice. This will result in all of Area 7 being open for crab.

Effective date: August 16, 2003, at 7:00 a.m.

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab

Location: The area to open includes Hale Passage, Neptune Beach, Birch Bay, Blaine and Pt. Roberts.

Reason for action: Shell condition testing indicates that the majority of crab have reached hard-shell condition and this part of Marine Area 7 can open for harvest.

Other information: Marine Areas 4, 5, 6, the San Juan Islands and Anacortes to Bellingham portion of 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are currently open to all sport crabbing, seven days per week. The southern portion of Marine Area 8-2 closed to sport crabbing August 11, and the north part of Marine Area 8-2 and all of 8-1 - currently open Fridays through Mondays - will close at 8 p.m. September 2. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.

Information contact:
Steve Burton, 425-775-1311 ext. 126;
Don Velasquez. 425-775-1311 ext. 112;
Dave Meister, 425-775-1311 ext. 119

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.