According to local news agency the Puget Sound crab season begins June 18 in some areas while other places will see a much later starting date. The western Strait of Juan de Fuca from Neah Bay and Sekiu and southern Puget Sound are the first areas to open June 18. Crabbing will be allowed daily through Jan. 2, 2010. Inner-Puget Sound places such as northern Puget Sound, Central Puget Sound, Saratoga Passage and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca will open at 7 a.m. on July 1.
It is told that these areas will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend, and closing the evening of Sept. 7. Catches will be reviewed and if enough remains the season could reopen sometime in fall or winter. In Hood Canal, the crab fishery will open July 29 to help prevent the harvesting of mating female crabs.
Rich Childers, a state Fish and Wildlife crab resource manager, informed that crab abundance in Hood Canal has dropped considerably since 2001 and we need as many crabs as possible for reproduction. He added that it is illegal to harvest female crabs, co-managers are taking extra precautions to help stabilize and protect the crab population.
It is said that if crabbers fail to report their catch for 2009 they will have to face a $10 fine, which will be imposed when they apply for their 2010 fishing license. The fine was approved by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to increase catch card return rates and gain more accuracy on recreational catch estimates.
It is also said that anglers fishing for crab in Puget Sound must purchase a $3 crab endorsement, which is free to fishermen under age 15. All fishermen age 15 or older also must carry an applicable fishing license to fish for crab anywhere in Washington.
