MARCH 30, 2023:
Region 1: ALL Catch Areas for commercial Crab will now close at 5:00pm on Saturday April 15, 2023, or when quota is caught, whichever comes first. Gear restrictions are 50 pots per boat.
NEON GREEN buoy tags are required for this Fishery.
**Buoy tags can be aquired from Fisheries Enforcement.
**Permits are required for all fisheries and can be obtained by contacting the Fisheries Office at 360-391-2494.
ALL OTHER AREAS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR COMMERCIAL CRAB FISHERIES
AS A REMINDER:
*If you see any suspicious or illegal activity during a crab fishery, please contact Swinomish Enforcement at 360-466-2501 so they can investigate.
*The use of mink as bait is only permissible when deployed in a bait jar (for example, a Scotty brand jar), or in a secure mesh bag that is then placed inside the bait basket, such that crab cannot access and cosume the mink. It is prohibited to have uncontained mink in a bait basket or any other container where it can be consumed by crab. If this restriction cannot be followed the use of mink as bait will be outloawed.
PLEASE NOTE: As usual, all gear must be removed from the water before closing time. There are two narrow exceptions; (1) winds above 20 knots if it would be unsafe to carry pots, in which case pots can stay in the water in non-fishing condition until it is safe to carrry them; or (2) mechanical breakdown. If you break down, you need to let Fish & Game Enforcement know right away.