Escape Cord Installation
Any 100% cotton cord (120 thread count or less) will work, as will other natural materials such as sisal, jute, and hemp. Even cotton yarn will do!
Purchasing small quantities of escape cord is not easy. Most bait shops are not equipped with this material in small quantities. Commercial fisheries supply companies will carry 120 and 60 thread count escape cord, but it is sold in spools of hundreds of feet. For a length of free escape cord, contact a local Beach Watchers office.
There are many different types of crab pots. Most pots, especially when sold second hand, do not come properly equipped with escape cord and it is up to the consumer to make sure their pots are legal. When the pot is lost the escape cord will rot and the pot will have a large enough opening to allow the crab to escape. Below are pictures of various types of crab pots correctly rigged with escape cord.
Correct
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figures 1 and 2 are the square variety of crab pot. There are several ways to equip these pots with escape cord. In figure 1 the ring, which allows smaller crabs to escape, has been removed and re-attached with escape cord. Figure 2 shows the escape cord replacing the ring entirely. It may be necessary to cut the ring out with wire cutters if it is welded on.
Some varieties of crab pots are designed to provide an escape through a panel on the top or the side. These pots are designed to land top side up. Figures 3 and 4 show escape cord being used as part of the fastener so when the pot is lost and the cord degrades the crabs can escape through the opening.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Incorrect
The pots below where found by the Northwest Straits Derelict Gear Team not properly rigged with escape cord. A lost pot will kill an average of 75 crabs a year.
Figure 1 –The ring on this crab pot was found attached as when originally purchased. In order to legally equip newly purchased pots with escape cord the wire ring must be removed and re-attached using escape cord.
Figure 2 – This crab pot was rigged with twist ties instead of 100% cotton escape cord.
Figure 3 – This is a common type of pot found not properly equipped with escape cord. The top panel should be secured with a tie down that includes a section of 100% cotton cord. In this case a rubber strap and nylon rope are used.
Figure 4 – This pot was found tied with thick yellow nylon rope that does not degrade.