Crab enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently announced that recreational crab fishing in several Puget Sound marine areas is set to kick off on Oct. 1. According to information provided by the WDFW's news release, the winter season will allow crabbing in specified marine areas every day until the end of the year.
Open waters for the crabbing season include Marine Areas 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, and part of Area 12 which signals a boon for local anglers and the support industries that thrive on the seasonal catch, though Marine Areas 10 and 11, as well as the southern portion of Marine Area 12 and Marine Area 13, will remain closed possibly awaiting further data analysis to assess the viability of winter fishing there. WDFW crustacean biologist Don Velasquez was cited explaining the basis of the openings, "The winter crab fisheries opening in some marine areas were based on Catch Record Card (CRC) harvest information from the summer season as well as expected harvest during the winter season,” he said, continuing with optimistic news about the abundant summer fisheries.
During the open season, crabbers must adhere to strict rules concerning legal catching hours – permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset – and adhere to daily limits which stand at five Dungeness crabs for males in hard-shell condition, among other size and gender regulations for different crab species. The WDFW requires individuals above the age of 15 to carry a current Washington fishing license which comes in several options that support a variety of fishing endeavors within the state.
All Dungeness crab captured in the late-season fishery must be recorded straight away onto winter catch record cards, which remain valid through Dec. 31, additionally, these record cards are critical as they are free to those with crab endorsements and are accessible at numerous license vendors the potential for a more accurate assessment and better planning for future seasons, as was emphasized in the WDFW news release. The winter CRCs are due by Feb. 1, 2025, but crabbers can still report their summer catches until the approaching deadline of Oct. 1 through online submission or by mail, reaffirming the department's commitment to conscientious conservation and management of the state's crab fisheries.
