Some areas of Puget Sound will reopen to recreational crabbing

October 20, 2006

October 20, 2006

Some areas of Puget Sound will
reopen to recreational crabbing

Action: Reopens areas of Puget Sound for crabbing.

Effective dates: 8 a.m. Nov. 1, 2006 through 6 p.m. Jan. 2, 2007 will reopen seven days a week.

Species affected: Dungeness and Red Rock crab.

Location: Marine Areas 4, 5, 6, 9, 10,12 and 13.

Reasons for action: A recent assessment of the recreational crab catch indicates that crabbers have harvest shares available in the areas to be reopened. It appears that the new restrictions on the recreational crab fishery have slowed catch rates enough so that it is possible to provide additional fishing opportunity through the holidays.

Other information: The daily limits in all Marine Areas will be five crabs per day for Dungeness crabs and six crabs per day for Red Rock crabs. Marine Areas 7S, 7E, 7N, 8-1, 8-2, and 11 will remain closed for the season, since the recreational harvest share has been completed in those areas.

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.