What to know about escape cord
Commercial and sport crabbers are required to use a biodegradable escape cord (also known as rot cord) on their pots so that if pots are lost, the cord will degrade and crabs can escape. It takes about three to four months for the cord to degrade when left in the water.
Our research shows that about a third of crab pots are not properly equipped with escape cord and many derelict pots are found to continue fishing for months and even years. On average, a derelict crab pot will catch about 30 crabs a year.
Once I have it, how do I use it?
All pots must have a way for crabs to escape if the pot is lost. This can be done by:
1) a pot lid hook or tiedown strap secured by a single loop of cord
2) a 3" by 5" escape panel sewed into the upper half of the pot with cord, or
3) a pot lid or one pot side (serving as a pot lid) secured by no more than three single loops of cord.
Cord used must be untreated 100% cotton or other natural fiber no larger than 120 thread count, ideally no more than 1/8-inch in diameter.
Click here to see how to rig your pot with escape cord.
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