Some areas opening in June for recreational crabbing in Puget Sound

May 27, 2016

Action: All of Marine Area 13 will open at 6:00 am June 2 through Sept. 5. Crabbing will be allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

All of Marine Area 12 will open at 6:00 am June 16 through Sept. 5. Crabbing will be allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

A portion of Marine Area 9 - the portion north of the Hood Canal Bridge to a line connecting Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point - will open at 6:00 am June 16 through Sept. 5. Crabbing will be allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab.

Location: Marine Area 13, Marine Area 12, and the portion of Marine Area 9 north of the Hood Canal Bridge to a line connecting Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point.

Reason for action: State and Tribal co-managers have agreed that legal size Dungeness crabs will have reached the hardshell criteria for harvest by these dates. The start dates will aid in achieving 50/50 harvest goal with the Treaty Tribes.

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 summer catch record card.

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.