Winter 2014 recreational crab seasons have been set for Puget Sound

September 29, 2014

Action: Recreational crab fishing will open at 8:00 am on Wednesday October 1 in Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla Tatoosh Line, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 12 and 13. Crab fishing will be open seven days a week through Wednesday December 31st, 2014.

Effective Dates: See above.

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab.

Location: Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla Tatoosh Line, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 12 and 13.

Reason for action: A recent assessment of the recreational crab catch indicates that crabbers have harvest shares available in these areas to be reopened. An adjustment was made to the open days per week to allow for inclement winter weather.

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. All Dungeness crabs retained during this time must be recorded on a winter catch record card.

Sport crabbing will not reopen at this time in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) and 11(Tacoma-Vashon Island).

Information Contact: Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112

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.