Crabs


CRAB Puget Sound is divided into 6 crustacean management regions, with the Tulalip Tribes participating in commercial and subsistence crab fisheries in Regions 1,2,3, and 4. The crab fishery is managed to protect softshell males and females. Test fisheries are conducted to determine appropriate openings and closings and to collect data on crab molting for this area. Harvest during periods of soft-shell conditions can increase the mortality of soft crab, decreasing future abundance.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tradtionally used June 1 through July 15 as a time period to close its fishery to protect soft crab. The original data was collected from northern Puget Sound, where the majority of the crabs are harvested. It was recognized that the molting period is not consistent throughout Puget Sound and addtional information needs to be collected. The Tulalip Crab Sampling Project was initiated to sample crab shell condition information for the inside waters of Whidbey Island, assist with the compilation and distribution of data, and determine the best management strategy using the data collected. The Tulalip crab fishermen and shellfish biologists work together to collect data.

CRAB