WAC 220-340-435. Commercial crab fishery — Shellfish pot requirements

(1) Commercial gear limited to pots. It is unlawful to take or fish for crab for commercial purposes except with shellfish pots. (2) Commercial gear escape rings and ports defined. It is unlawful to use or operate any shellfish pot gear in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery unless the gear meets the following requirements: (a) Pot gear must have 2 or more escape rings or ports; (b) Escape rings or ports must be 4-1/4 inches inside diameter or larger; and (c) Escape rings or ports must be located in the upper half of the trap. (3) Maximum size for commercial crab pots. It is unlawful to use a crab pot greater than 13 cubic feet in volume to fish for or take Dungeness crab from state or offshore waters for commercial purposes. (4) Groundline gear is unlawful. It is unlawful to attach or connect a crab pot or ring net to another crab pot or ring net by a common groundline or any other means that connects crab pots together. (5) Penalty. Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor, punishable under RCW 77.15.520 Commercial fishing — Unlawful gear or methods — Penalty, or RCW 77.15.522 Unlawful use of shellfish gear for commercial purposes — Penalty, whichever is applicable depending on the circumstances of the violation.