Puget Sound's Crabbing Season Begins In July

WASHINGTON — Puget Sound's crabbing season will begin on July 1, and most marine areas will be open for at least a portion of the summer, state wildlife officials announced this week. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said favorable conditions will allow for crabbing in all but two areas, which will remain closed until Dungeness crab populations improve.

"Crabbing seasons should be similar to recent years around most of Puget Sound," said Don Velasquez, WDFW's crustacean biologist. "Still, some areas with continued low abundance will see limited seasons or remain closed this year to promote Dungeness population recovery."

In general, crabbers will be limited to five male Dungeness crabs per day, which must be in hard-shell condition and with a minimum carapace width of 6.25 inches, officials said. Anglers may also keep a half-dozen red rock crabs of either sex, as long as they are in hard-shell condition and have a carapace width of at least 5 inches.

All crabbers are required to note their hauls on a catch record card, which must be submitted to the WDFW by Oct. 1. Catch cards are not required for Dungeness crab in the Columbia River and Washington's coast, where the season is open year-round.

"It is important that crabbers return their catch record cards at the end of the season in order to help us better understand and manage this fishery," Velasquez said. "Only about 50 percent of crabbers record their catch at the end of the season, and this information is critical for setting future seasons. We need those catch record cards returned or reported online — whether or not you caught any crab — to determine levels of sustainable catch and set harvest seasons."

Here are the dates for Puget Sound's recreational crabbing season:

Open:

• Marine Areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu), 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), 8-1 (Deception Pass), 8-2 (Port Susan/Everett), and 9 (Port Gamble and Admiralty Inlet): Open July 1 through Sept. 5, Thursdays through Mondays only.
• Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands/Bellingham): Open July 14 through Sept. 30, Thursdays through Mondays only.
• Marine Area 7 North (Gulf of Georgia): Open Aug. 18 through Sept. 30, Thursdays through Mondays only.
• Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton): Open July 3 through Sept. 5, Sundays and Mondays only.
• Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island): Open July 3 through August 30, Sundays and Mondays only.
• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) north of a line projected true east from Ayock Point: Open July 1 through Sept. 5, Thursdays through Mondays only.

Closed:

• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) south of a line projected true east from Ayock Point.
• Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound).