Coast Guard to monitor commercial crab fishery

Teams with state fish and wildlife officers to enforce regulations, keep fishermen safe

By Dan Hammock • December 30, 2016 1:30 am
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A 47-foot Motor Life Boat moored at the pier and the 52-foot Motor Life Boat Invincible moored in the boathouse are pictured at Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Wash., Sept. 14, 2015. The Invincible is one of four 52-foot MLBs, all of which are located in the Pacific Northwest where severe surf conditions are commonly encountered. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross) A 47-foot Motor Life Boat moored at the pier and the 52-foot Motor Life Boat Invincible moored in the boathouse are pictured at Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Wash., Sept. 14, 2015. The Invincible is one of four 52-foot MLBs, all of which are located in the Pacific Northwest where severe surf conditions are commonly encountered. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross)
A 47-foot Motor Life Boat moored at the pier and the 52-foot Motor Life Boat Invincible moored in the boathouse are pictured at Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Wash., Sept. 14, 2015. The Invincible is one of four 52-foot MLBs, all of which are located in the Pacific Northwest where severe surf conditions are commonly encountered. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross) A 47-foot Motor Life Boat moored at the pier and the 52-foot Motor Life Boat Invincible moored in the boathouse are pictured at Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Wash., Sept. 14, 2015. The Invincible is one of four 52-foot MLBs, all of which are located in the Pacific Northwest where severe surf conditions are commonly encountered. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross)

The Coast Guard is teaming up with Washington state authorities to monitor the commercial crab fishing fleet along the coast to ensure safety and enforce the laws and regulations associated with the opening of the Dungeness crab season.

Crab season started Jan. 1 in waters south of Klipsan Beach, and Jan. 7 for the coast from Klipsan Beach to the mouth of the Queets River. Both fisheries start at 9 a.m.

“Dungeness crab season coincides with some of the most dangerous sea conditions encountered on the Pacific Northwest Coast,” said Lieutenant Commander Christopher Morris, enforcement chief, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “The Coast Guard emphasizes that having the proper safety and survival equipment up to date and properly installed is legally required and could be the difference between life and death.”

Two deaths were recorded during the 2016 Dungeness crab season, which began Jan.1, 2016.

Historically, up to 50 percent of the annual catch is landed in the first two weeks of the season, with 80 to 90 percent harvested during the first two to three months. Due to the delay to the season start, if catch rates are successful, activity may remain moderate to heavy through early March.

Crabbing is a state regulated fishery, so the Coast Guard assists its partner agencies when called upon with personnel or assets to patrol the fishing grounds. The Coast Guard’s primary concern is the safety of the fishermen and their vessels.

“This is accomplished through both preventative measures such as mandatory dockside safety examination requirements and voluntary training programs, and rapidly responding to marine casualties if and when they occur to save lives and property,” the Coast Guard said.

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