Coastal Dungeness Crab Policy
Coastal Dungeness Crab Policy
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public input on proposed updates to its Coastal Dungeness Crab Policy.
The Coastal Dungeness Crab Policy provides guidance to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to promote species conservation, as well as the economic well-being and stability of commercial and recreational crabbing. The policy has not been revised since it was adopted in 1999, and the proposed changes would modernize the document and address new needs, including:
- Addressing the risk of marine life entanglement in crabbing gear.
- Supporting management of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery.
- Improving the fishery’s climate resiliency.
The draft policy is now available for public review and comment through Oct. 15. A virtual public meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 15. Register for the meeting through Zoom.
WDFW staff will present public feedback to the Fish and Wildlife Commission during a hybrid meeting Oct. 24-26 in Ellensburg. Information on how to register to provide comments during the meeting will be made available on the Commission meeting webpage.