Extended Crabbing Season in Puget Sound: Two Extra Days Added

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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Monday that summer crab-fishing season will span two more days this month in most areas around the Puget Sound.

“With the addition of these two crabbing days in many Puget Sound marine areas (except Marine Areas 10 and 11), the pre-Labor Day summer fishery will be similar to the recent year average season length,” said Don Velasquez, WDFW crustacean biologist.

Crabbers will get Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 in addition to the previously announced summer recreational crab seasons in all waters of Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 7 South, 7 North, 8-1, 8-2, 9, and 12 north of Ayock Point, the WDFW reports.

Summer crab seasons, according to the department are scheduled to open in the following marine areas:

• Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point), Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles, Discovery Bay), Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass), Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan/Everett), and Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) are open through Sept. 2 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only, and also open Aug. 27-28.
• Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands/Bellingham) is open through Sept. 30 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only, and also open Aug. 27-28.
• Marine Area 7 North (Gulf of Georgia) is open through Sept. 30 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only, and also open Aug. 27-28.
• Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) is open through Aug. 26 with crabbing allowed Sundays and Mondays only. A relatively small quota precludes adding open days for this area.
• Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is open through Aug. 26 with crabbing allowed Sundays and Mondays only. A relatively small quota precludes adding open days for this area.
• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) north of a line projected true east from Ayock Point is open through Sept. 2 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only, and also open Aug. 27-28.

The WDFW reports further that the marine areas below will be closed to protect weak Dungeness crab populations:

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

The daily limit in the Puget Sound is five male Dungeness crab in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches, according to the WDFW. Fishers may also keep six red rock crab of either sex per day in open areas, provided the crab are in hard-shell condition and measure at least 5 inches carapace width.