June 12, 2003
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 June 18, 2003, until further notice.
Effective date: June 18, 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 portion of Marine Area 7 south and west 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; and westerly of a straight line from the northernmost tip of Sinclair Island through Lummi Rocks to Lummi Island; and west of a line projected from the southeast point of Sinclair Island to the ferry dock at Shannon Point.
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 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are also 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. Marine Area 6, the Straits of Juan de Fuca will open June 22. All open areas mentioned above have a six-crab daily limit. The eastern and northern part Marine Area 7 is currently closed to sport crabbing and testing is being conducted there. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.
Information contact: Therese Cain, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 210; Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Steve Burton, Don Velasquez or David Meister, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311.
Effective date: June 18, 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 portion of Marine Area 7 south and west 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; and westerly of a straight line from the northernmost tip of Sinclair Island through Lummi Rocks to Lummi Island; and west of a line projected from the southeast point of Sinclair Island to the ferry dock at Shannon Point.
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 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are also 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. Marine Area 6, the Straits of Juan de Fuca will open June 22. All open areas mentioned above have a six-crab daily limit. The eastern and northern part Marine Area 7 is currently closed to sport crabbing and testing is being conducted there. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.
Information contact: Therese Cain, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 210; Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Steve Burton, Don Velasquez or David Meister, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311.