Crab fishing opens July 4th in the Anacortes to Bellingham areas

July 2, 2003

July 2, 2003

Crab fishing opens July 4th in
the Anacortes to Bellingham areas.

Action: The recreational crab fishery in the San Juan Islands portion of Marine Area 7, will open to all sport crabbing seven days per week with a six-crab daily limit, starting 7:00 a.m. July 4, 2003, until further notice.

Effective date: July 4, 2003, at 7:00 a.m.

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab

Location: The area to be opened includes waters of the San Juan Islands and of the Anacortes to Bellingham portion of Marine Area 7 south 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 and south and east of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island thence to the buoy at Clements Reef thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, running along the northern shoreline of Patos Island and from the westernmost point of Patos Island due west to the international boundary.?

Reason for action: Shell condition testing indicates that crab are in hardshell condition and this part of Marine Area 7 can open for harvest.

Other information: Marine Areas 4, 5, 6, the San Juan Islands 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 opened on May 16, Fridays through Mondays. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by August 11, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 9 p.m. The recreational crab fishery in the northern portion of Marine Area 8-2, north of a line from Camano Head to Sandy Point, and all of Marine Area 8-1 opened on June 6 at 7:00 a.m., on a Friday through Monday schedule. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by Sept. 2, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 8 p.m. Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 could reopen for winter harvest opportunities if additional quota remains, based on September catch record card survey data. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.

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.