Crab fishing opens June 21 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

June 11, 2003

June 11, 2003

Crab fishing opens June 21 in
the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Action: The recreational crab fishery in all waters of Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, and 6 will open to all sport crabbing seven days per week with a six-crab daily limit, starting June 21, 2003, until further notice.

Effective date: June 21, 2003, at 7 a.m.

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab

Location: The area to be opened includes waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Cape Flattery and south of Marine Area 7. This area includes Dungeness, Discovery and Sequim Bays and Pt. Angeles Harbor.

Reason for action: A new quota for each area is available beginning June 21. In addition, shell condition testing indicates that crab are in hardshell condition and these areas can open for harvest.

Other information: Marine Areas 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are also open to all sport crabbing, seven days per week. The southern portion of Marine Area 8-2 opened on May 16, Fridays through Mondays. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by August 11, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 9 p.m. The recreational crab fishery in the northern portion of Marine Area 8-2, north of a line from Camano Head to Sandy Point, and all of Marine Area 8-1 opened on June 6 at 7:00 a.m., on a Friday through Monday schedule. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by Sept. 2, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 8 p.m. Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 could reopen for winter harvest opportunities if additional quota remains, based on September catch record card survey data. All open areas mentioned above have a six-crab daily limit. Marine Area 7 is currently closed to sport crabbing. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.

Information contact: Therese Cain, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 210; Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Steve Burton, Don Velasquez or David Meister, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311.

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.