Recreational crawfish harvest to close in 12 counties

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing recreational crawfish harvesting by emergency rule in 12 western Washington counties at 12:01 a.m., Nov 1.

The closure is necessary to comply with the crawfish management plan negotiated with treaty Indian tribes as required by the U.S. District Court.

The Nov. 1 closure is effective in Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Mason, Pierce, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties.

A public hearing to establish permanent foodfish, gamefish and shellfish (including crawfish) regulations will be part of a Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting on Dec. 6 and 7. Testimony on the proposals may be presented at the hearing.

The department will also hold two information meetings to assist the public in evaluating the proposed changes to the rules governing recreational fisheries.

These meetings will give citizens the opportunity to meet with commissioners and department staff and discuss proposed rule changes. The meeting locations are:

Wednesday, Nov. 6
7:00 - 9:00 pm
West Coast Sea-Tac Hotel
18220 Pacific Highway South
Seattle

Tuesday, Nov. 12
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Ridpath Hotel
West 515 Sprague Avenue
Spokane

People wishing to be on a mailing list to receive additional information should call (360) 902-2700 or write to: Pat Michael, WDFW, 600 Capital Way North, Olympia WA 98501.