The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking for input from local crabbers as it embarks on its 2024 summer survey assessing Dungeness crab populations across select Puget Sound marine areas. This study focuses on the vital need to manage sustainably this cherished seafood source, specifically in Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), and Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet). WDFW is slated to send survey invitations via email to crabbers who've previously reported their summer catch in these areas.

Don Velasquez, a crustacean biologist with the department, stressed the importance of this data collection stating, "If contacted, your input is extremely important to us," emphasizing that the additional harvest information will provide important data for managing the Dungeness crab population. Participants who've cast their nets across the three marine areas may have separate surveys gracing their inboxes, ensuring a detailed account of the crab harvest is captured. The survey window is a brief one, set to close on December 23, compelling crabbers to expedite their responses, as reported by the WDFW.

Adherence to reporting protocols is imperative within the local crabbing community. Whether you're out there for the summer and winter seasons, or your traps have come up empty, the WDFW mandates the disclosure of crab harvests via the Catch Record Card (CRC). It's a cornerstone of their efforts - each CRC plays an essential role in painting a broader picture of the broader Dungeness harvest, informing quotas and defining seasons that keep the crabbing tradition both vibrant and viable for years to come.