September 27, 2024
Action: Opens recreational crabbing seasons, seven days per week.
Effective date: Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
Species affected: Dungeness, red rock, and Tanner crab.
Locations: Marine Area 4 east of the Tatoosh-Bonilla line, Marine Area 5, Marine Area 6, Marine Area 7 North and South, Marine Area 8-1, Marine Area 8-2, Marine Area 9, and Marine Area 12 north of a line projected due east from Ayock Point.
Reason for action: Preliminary summer harvest estimates indicate that these areas can open to recreational harvest on October 1 as indicated. The start date will aid in achieving 50/50 harvest goal with the Treaty Tribes.
Additional information: Additional time is needed to determine whether Marine Areas 10 and 11 can offer winter recreational opportunity. Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point and Marine Area 13 will remain closed for the remainder of 2024.
The daily limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crabs, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches. Crabbers may also keep six red rock crabs of either sex per day with a minimum carapace width of 5 inches, and six Tanner crabs of either sex with a minimum carapace of 4 1/2 inches. All Dungeness crabs retained during this time must be recorded on a winter catch record card.
Information contact: Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 725-3038.