SEVERAL MARINE AREAS that border the North Olympic Peninsula will reopen for recreational crab fishing on Saturday.
The openings were approved by fishery managers after summer catch assessments by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife indicated additional crab are available for harvest during the late season, said Don Velasquez, a shellfish manager with the department.
Area Waters reopening to sport crabbing Saturday at 8 a.m. include marine areas 4 (Neah Bay, east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet), except for waters south of a line from Olele Point to Foulweather Bluff.
In each area, crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31.
Sport crabbing will not reopen in marine areas 10 (Seattle Bremerton), 11 (Vashon Island), 12 (Hood Canal), and 13 (South Puget Sound).
The daily limit is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 ¼ inches. Crabbers may also catch six red rock crab of either sex per day with a minimum carapace width of 5 inches.
All Dungeness crab caught in the late-season recreational fishery must be recorded immediately on winter catch record cards, which are valid through Dec. 31. Winter catch record cards are free to those with crab endorsements and are available at license vendors across the state.
Winter catch reports are due to WDFW by Feb.1.
More crabbing information is available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab.
Razor digs approved
The first razor clam dig of the fall season will get underway Friday and Saturday at four ocean beaches.
The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:
• Friday, 7:49 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, 8:33 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Diggers should hit the beach about an hour or two before low tide for the best results.
Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
Ayres noted that throughout the 2017-18 razor clam season, a research team from the University of Maryland will be out on the beaches seeking volunteers to participate in a survey about razor clam consumption and harvesting practices.
For more information, phone Lynn Grattan at 877-668-4559 or LGrattan@som.umaryland.edu.
Advisory group
Fish and Wildlife is seeking volunteers to serve on its Puget Sound sportfishing advisory group.
People interested in serving on the advisory group have through Oct. 31 to apply.
About 10 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the advisory group for 2018-19.
Those selected will provide guidance to the department on issues affecting recreational fisheries in Puget Sound for salmon, rockfish and other marine fish species.
The advisory group meets five or six times a year, with most meetings scheduled February through April during the salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon.
Members also are expected to communicate fishery information and policy decisions to sportfishing groups in their areas, said Ryan Lothrop, a WDFW fishery manager.
“Advisors are an important link between the department and the sportfishing community,” Lothrop said.
“We’re looking for people who have first-hand knowledge of marine and freshwater recreational fisheries and the ability to communicate their ideas to fishery managers and fellow anglers.”
Appointments become effective in January. Advisors do not receive direct compensation for their work.
Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group, and current members of the advisory group may be reappointed. Any group or individual also can nominate a candidate.
Letters of interest or nominations must include the following information:
• Name, address, telephone number and email address of the person to be considered.
•Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.
•Effectiveness in communication.
•Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.
Applications must be received by Oct. 31, and may be submitted to PugetSoundRecFishingGroup@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Ryan Lothrop, P.O. Box 43150, Olympia WA, 98504-3150.
For more information, contact Lothrop at 360-902-2808.
