WDFW sets crab seasons for Puget Sound

April 4, 2006

Action: Puget Sound recreational crab season set

Effective dates:
· Marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south Puget Sound) will open from June 18 through Feb. 28, seven days per week.

· Marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 South (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass to East Point), 8-2 (East Point to Possession Point), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) will open July 1, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus the entire Labor Day weekend, before closing the evening of Sept. 4 for a catch assessment.

· Marine Area 7 East (Bellingham and Samish bays) will open July 15, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus the entire Labor Day weekend, closing for a catch assessment Sept. 30.

Marine Area 7 North (Lummi Island/Blaine) will open Aug. 16, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus the entire Labor Day weekend, closing for a catch assessment Sept. 30.

Species affected: Dungeness and Red rock crab

Location: Marine Area 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoaosh line) and Marine Areas 5 through 13.

Reasons for action: Marine areas with historically high harvest rates will open July 1, close after Labor Day for a catch assessment, then reopen in the fall if area harvest quotas have not been met.

Other information: Like last year, sport crabbers throughout the Sound will be limited to five Dungeness crab per day, with crab fishing in most areas limited to four days per week, Wednesdays through Saturdays.






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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.