Based off a press release from Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
EVERETT JULY 3: To help Snohomish County crabbers minimize the loss of crab pots in the Puget Sound, the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) will share educational tips in Everett this weekend.
Monday, July 1 was the opening day for crabbing in the Puget Sound, and each year an estimated 12,000 crab pots are lost. This results in the capture of roughly 180,000 Dungeness crabs a year with no one to harvest, according to a press release from Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
In partnership with Northwest Straits Foundation, MRC will be at the 10th Street Boat Launch in Everett from 6-10 a.m. Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 providing educational and free materials to combat the loss of crab pots. MRC is giving away free rot cords, bait hooks and gauges for measuring catches.
“The MRC’s goal is to understand, protect, and restore the marine and estuarine ecosystems of the county. Local citizens appointed by County Council use science-based information to develop and implement projects and help shape local and regional marine conservation policy,” the release said.
Below are several ways crabbers can prevent losing their pots, according to DCNR:
- Avoid marine transit and ferry lanes.
- Check tides and currents. Avoid crabbing during strong tidal changes and currents.
- Make buoys more visible. Add a second buoy or stick and flag.
- Use a weighted line to sink below the surface and avoid being cut by passing boats.
- Weight your pot so they do not move in high currents or tidal changes.
- Use longer line. Use one-third more line than the water depth to allow for tide changes.
- Secure lid and escape panels with biodegradable cotton escape cord. This allows crabs to escape from lost pots after the cord degrades.
- Stay with your pot. A watched pot will bring home more crab.
Crab pots have recently been affecting Washington State Ferries (WSF), forcing WSF to operate this Fourth of July weekend without one of its ships.
To find informational videos and helpful apps on crab pots see here: Derelict Gear | NWStraitsFoundation.org
“The goal is more crab for you, less lost pots for Puget Sound,” the release said.
