Who should use escape cord?
All recreational and commercial crabbers! Unless you harvest with “rings” or a trap that collapses completely flat when underwater, then you are legally required to use escape cord. Not only is it Washington state law, but it helps ensure that more crabs are out there to catch! Most (but not all!) traps will come equipped with escape cord. It is important to make sure new pots are rigged with escape cord, and replace it with escape cord when that degrades.
Where to use it and when:
Opening dates for the 2010 crabbing season:
June 18: Marine Area 4: (Neah Bay) - Opens at 7:00 a.m. June 18, 2010. Open daily through January 2, 2011.
July 1: Marine Area 6: (East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles Harbor, Discovery Bay) - Opens at 7:00 a.m. July 1, 2010. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays only through September 6, 2010, but open the entire Labor Day weekend (September 4-6).
Marine Area 7:
SubArea South (San Juan Islands) - Opens at 7:00 a.m. July 14, 2010. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays only through September 30, 2010, but open the entire Labor Day weekend (September 4-6).
SubArea East (Anacortes to Bellingham) - Opens at 7:00 a.m. July 14, 2010. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays only through September 30, 2010, but open the entire Labor Day weekend (September 4-6).
SubArea North (Bellingham to Pt Roberts) - Opens at 7:00 a.m. August 11, 2010. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays only through September 30, 2010, but open the entire Labor Day weekend (September 4-6).
Click here for other Marine Areas.
More information about crabbing seasons and regulations can be found on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife web site at:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm