Dungeness Crabber Education
& Stewardship
Overview
12,000 crab pots are lost each year in Puget Sound. These pots trap and kill 129,000 harvestable crabs.
In 2010, the MRC Dungeness Crabber subcommittee continued to work on outreach materials to reduce the number of recreational crab pots lost in Port Susan, Possession Sound and Port Gardner during the 2010 crabbing season. The principle outreach message was “Keep Your Crab Pot, Eat More Crabs.”
To convey this message, a laminated nautical chart was developed. The chart features reminders for best management practices and notes potential hazards that can increase the likelihood of pot loss. Over 1,400 of the nautical charts were distributed and 1,700 recreational crabbers reached at boat launches, sporting good stores, and area parks. WSU Beach Watcher volunteers spoke with crabbers about hazards and best practices to avoid losing crab pots. These face-to-face contacts are essential to reducing the number of crab pots lost annually in Puget Sound.
Click here to download the nautical chart and learn about how to keep your crab pot.
Visit www.escapecord.org to learn about how to use biodegradeable escape cord.
NWSC Benchmarks Achieved:
Education & Outreach, Marine Life, Marine Habitat
Derelict Gear
High school volunteer, Taylor Brown created the You-Tube video Derelict Gear – What can YOU do? The video contains information on crab pot escape cords and derelict gear.
Visit www.derelictgear.org to learn about removal efforts and how to report derelict gear.
