ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE
This document is provided for archival purposes only. Archived documents do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual inaccuracies.
News release
Puget Sound Crab Manager: Katelyn Bosley, 360-302-3030, ext. 319
Public Affairs: Jason Wettstein, 360-704-0258
OLYMPIA – The Department of Fish and Wildlife is acting to close recreational crab fishing in areas near Whidbey Island, Camano Island, and Everett on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019.
In Marine Area 8-1, including Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay, and Marine Area 8-2, including Port Susan and Port Gardner, anyone fishing for crab from a boat must retrieve their gear by one hour after sunset. Crabbers in these areas fishing from shore or from piers have until the end of the day on Oct. 23 to retrieve their gear.
“The closures are going to come as a surprise because the crabbing in these areas has been good since opening on Oct. 1,” said Katelyn Bosley. “It’s been a short season, but our latest numbers show that we’ve passed our harvest quota in these areas. By closing now, we have a good chance of conserving crab populations for next year.”
All sport fishers licensed to fish for Dungeness crab in Puget Sound may continue to crab 7 days per week in marine areas 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 except those waters between the Hood Canal Bridge to a line connecting Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point through Dec.31, 2019.
WDFW manages commercial crab seasons using catch accounting by crab buyers reporting pounds of crab purchased every day. The early closure is a result of commercial purchase data being reported after the daily deadlines.
“If crab catches are not reported in a timely manner, we risk our ability to maintain a sustainable fishery,” said Chief of WDFW Police, Steve Bear. “WDFW police are investigating these non-compliance issues to determine if the filing of criminal charges is appropriate.”
The commercial non-treaty season closed Oct. 9.
For more information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, see WDFW's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/crab
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.