June 2, 2004
Action: Recreational crab fishing will be delayed until further notice in the Saratoga Passage portion of Marine Area 8-1.
Effective date: The opening will be delayed from June 4, 2004 and remain in
effect until crab shells become hardened. This area is limited to the southern portion of Marine Area 8-1, south of a line that extends from Snatelum Pt. to Rocky Pt.
Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab.
Location: The delay of the scheduled opening is limited to Saratoga Passage in the portion of Marine Area 8-1 south of a line from Snatelum Point to Rocky Point. The northern portion of Marine Area 8-1, north of a line from Snatelum Pt. to Rocky Pt. will open as scheduled at 7 a.m. June 4, 2004 for recreational crabbing.
Reason for action: Recent crab shell condition testing has shown that northern Saratoga Passage still has large numbers of soft crab. Soft-shelled crab are subject to high mortality rates associated with handling. It is projected that shell condition criteria will be met in about two weeks.
Other information: Marine Areas 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 opened June 1, and Marine Areas 6 and the 7 South are scheduled to open June 16, Marine Area 7 East, July 16, and Marine Area 7 North, August 16. Openings in Areas 8-1 and 8-2 are on a Friday through Monday basis only.
Information contact: Steve Burton, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 126 or Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.
Effective date: The opening will be delayed from June 4, 2004 and remain in
effect until crab shells become hardened. This area is limited to the southern portion of Marine Area 8-1, south of a line that extends from Snatelum Pt. to Rocky Pt.
Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab.
Location: The delay of the scheduled opening is limited to Saratoga Passage in the portion of Marine Area 8-1 south of a line from Snatelum Point to Rocky Point. The northern portion of Marine Area 8-1, north of a line from Snatelum Pt. to Rocky Pt. will open as scheduled at 7 a.m. June 4, 2004 for recreational crabbing.
Reason for action: Recent crab shell condition testing has shown that northern Saratoga Passage still has large numbers of soft crab. Soft-shelled crab are subject to high mortality rates associated with handling. It is projected that shell condition criteria will be met in about two weeks.
Other information: Marine Areas 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 opened June 1, and Marine Areas 6 and the 7 South are scheduled to open June 16, Marine Area 7 East, July 16, and Marine Area 7 North, August 16. Openings in Areas 8-1 and 8-2 are on a Friday through Monday basis only.
Information contact: Steve Burton, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 126 or Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.