The season for recreational crab fishing in Puget Sound has drawn to a close, and with the end of this maritime pastime, crabbers who hold a winter Catch Record Card (CRC) are reminded that the deadline to report their harvests—or lack thereof—falls on Feb. 1. According to a release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), even those who did not cast their lines or store any crabs are required to record this in their reports.
The department has made it clear that, while the window for snagging Dungeness crab has shut, the time for fishers to fulfill their obligations remains wide open. "Reporting your winter crab catch is a vital part of keeping this fishery healthy and well-managed," said Don Velasquez, a WDFW shellfish manager, in a statement that underscores the importance of each crabber's compliance. Whether the traps were teeming with harvest or returned empty, each report plays a significant role in maintaining a balanced crab population and ensuring fair fishing seasons in the future, as per WDFW.
For those unfamiliar with the reporting process, the WDFW has streamlined the option to provide information through the WILD System online. Newcomers should anticipate spending additional time setting up an account, a process requiring a username, password, and an email address. Wanting to avoid the hassle of digital forms, participants have the alternative to mail their CRCs directly to the WDFW CRC Unit. Questions about the process can be directed to the WDFW's Licensing Division via email or by dialing 360-902-2464.
One critical note for crabbers to bear in mind is that failure to submit their CRC will result in a $10 penalty. This fee, which must be paid before securing a 2025 Puget Sound crab endorsement, is unavoidable for those who overlook reporting requirements come February 1. Anchoring this regulation are numbers that cannot be ignored, with the WDFW having issued a significant 33,733 winter CRCs during the 2024 season alone, as sporting enthusiasts vied for a piece of the aquatic bounty.
Since the inception of the CRC system in 2007, the WDFW has leaned on data from these records to estimate the annual Dungeness crab harvest. The mandatory submission of CRCs helps to shape the management strategies for the crab fisheries, determining not only quotas but also the duration of fishing seasons across Puget Sound's marine areas.
