The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has proposed new regulations to reduce marine life entanglements in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery. With public review now open, the WDFW shared details on the new proposals, including updates to gear marking requirements and gear restrictions, and is also offering a draft compliance guide complete with diagrams and definitions.
"These proposed regulations are instrumental in advancing conservation efforts around whale entanglements," Megan Hintz, the WDFW’s coastal marine fisheries whale entanglement coordinator, told the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Among the outlined changes are improved visibility of gear markings, limitations on surface gear length, and a cap on the number of buoys allowed. To enhance gear traceability, the proposed rules also call for the annual registration of buoy brands and color combinations before embarking on fishing.
The WDFW plans to host a virtual town hall on February 26 to discuss the proposed changes further and gather public input. Those interested can register for the online session via Zoom. Additionally, the proposals will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission during a meeting from March 20-22, details will be available on the Commission's meeting webpage.
