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2003-2004 DUNGENESS CRAB FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN
REGION 1
This is the 2003-2004Regional Management Plan for Region 1 referred to in Section 9 of the Puget
Sound Dungeness Crab Harvest Management Agreement of June 1998. This management plan is in
effect from May 1, 2003 through April 30 , 2004.
1. Harvest Levels
The best available information on the total harvest of Dungeness crab (pounds) taken in
Region 1 by each Party in recent seasons during the June 1 - May 31 in the earlier years, and
from April 16 - April 15 period is as follows:
State Tribes Total
Year Commercial Recreational Total
2002-03* 1,962,000 360,000 2,322,000 2,324,670 4,646,670
2001-02* 2,205,453 307,292 2,512,745 2,513,956 5,026,701
2000-01 1,746,366 360,807 2,107,173 2,213,129 4,320,302
1999-00 1,437,309 376,300 1,813,609 1,865,121 3,678,730
1998-99 1,411,693 436,400 1,848,093 1,898,020 3,746,113
1997-98 2,080,507 400,700 2,481,207 2,211,186 4,692,393
1996-97 1,610,065 249,700 1,859,765 2,034,830 3,894,595
SUM 12,453,393 2,491,199 14,944,592 15,060,912 30,005,504
7 year 1,779,056 355,886 2,134,942 2,151,559 4,286,501
Average
*Final estimate may vary slightly
2. Allocation Objectives
An initial projected harvest of 4,300,000 pounds, evenly divided between the State and the
combined tribes, will be used for planning the 2003-2004season. The Parties agree to review
this forecasted abundance during the weeks ofSeptember 2, November 30, January 15, and
February 28, to determine whether a more accurate projection can be made through the end of
the season, based on the catches in the fisheries to that date relative to the same fisheries in the
past 5 years. To the extent that agreement can be reached, the parties will manage to a new
projected total harvest. Progress toward catch objectives will be evaluated by March 1st. The
allocation objective is to provide 50% of the harvest to the combined ceremonial, subsistence
and commercial treaty fisheries, and 50% of the harvest to the combined recreational and
commercial State fisheries. The parties agree to modify their fishing effort as necessary to
ensure that their respective harvests do not exceed agreed quotas. Any party whose harvests
exceed their quota by more than 2% will deduct the total amount overharvested from their
following season’s quota.
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 1
3. Management Objectives and Season Design
All fisheries, except the Treaty Ceremonial Fishery, in order to avoid waste during the peak
molt period, are contingent on legal sized male crab, equal to or greater than 6 1/4 inches in
carapace width, meeting the hard shell criteria in Appendix C of the Puget Sound Dungeness
Crab Harvest Management Agreement of June 1998.
A. Treaty
Commercial
The Treaty commercial summer fishery in Region 1 will be designed to take no more than
1,250,000 pounds of crab for the period of June 1 through September 15. This fishery is
structured in 3 periods as follows:
The San Juan Islands (Areas 22A and 20B), may open beginning June 20, unless shell
condition testing indicates the fishery can open sooner and will be structured to take a
harvest of 400,000 pounds of crab.
The fisheries in Bellingham/Samish Bay (Areas 21A, 21B, 22B) may open beginning
July 5, unless shell condition testing indicates the fishery can open sooner.
The Strait of Georgia (Area 20A),) may open beginning August 15, unless shell
condition testing indicates the fishery can open sooner.
The fall/winter period fishery will be October 1, 2003 through April 15, 2004. The fishery
may extend after April 15, 2004 if hard shell criteria are met and an allocation exists.. The
starting date for the fall/winter in-common fishery may be changed by agreement of all
parties. Take home crab in the commercial fishery will be noted on fish tickets.
Ceremonial and Subsistence
The Treaty subsistence fishery will be open when hard shell criteria are met and an allocation
exists. The tribes will provide an estimate of subsistence fisheries taken during the term of this
agreement. Ceremonial fisheries will be by special permit only, and will be recorded on fish
tickets or reported on an annual basis.
Total tribal harvest will be monitored to ensure that the tribal crab fisheries will not exceed
agreed amounts.
B. State
Sport
The State recreational fishery objective is to provide predictable, high quality fishing
opportunity in all areas/months when the hard shell criteria are met and an allocation exists.
Planned opening dates for the state recreational fishery are as follows:
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 2
San Juan Islands (Areas 22A and 20B) may open beginning June 20, unless shell
condition testing indicates the fishery can open sooner and
Bellingham/Samish Bay (Areas 21A, 21B, 22B) July 5, unless shell condition testing
indicates the fishery can open sooner and
Strait of Georgia (Area 20A), August 15, unless shell condition testing indicates the
fishery can open sooner and
The State will provide an estimate of the expected recreational fisheries catch for the 2003-
2004 season. A minimum of two in-season surveys will be conducted to update the
recreational catch during the term of this agreement. Based upon an agreed evaluation of
recent catch and effort information, expected abundance and/or a preseason allocation, the
recreational fishery will be adjusted as necessary to not exceed agreed to harvest shares.
Commercial
The State general commercial season is October 1, 2003 through April 15, 2004,. The fishery
may extend after April 15, 2004 if hard shell criteria are met and an allocation exists. The
starting date for the fall/winter in-common fishery may be changed by agreement of all
parties. Take home crab in the commercial fishery will be noted on fish tickets.
Total state harvest will be monitored to ensure that the state crab fisheries will not exceed
agreed amounts.
4. Special Management Areas
4.1 San Juan Island Marine Preserves:
Through State and Tribal regulation the parties have agreed to close crab harvest in the
following San Juan Island areas. The Tribal parties retain the right to modify their
restrictions.
False Bay - The tidelands and bedlands of False Bay on San Juan Island, including all
University of Washington-owned tidelands beginning at a marker 400' east of the east
entrance of False Bay and extending to the entrance of False Bay, all University of
Washington-owned tidelands and bedlands within a line beginning at the University of
Washington marker on the shore at the east entrance of False Bay, projected 500 yards
offshore, then northwesterly to a point 500 yards offshore along a line projected from a
University of Washington marker on the shore at the west side of a small peninsula at the west
entrance of False Bay, then to shore along the line to the marker, and all University of
Washington-owned tidelands west of the marker to a University of Washington marker 600'
west of the small peninsula.
Friday Harbor - Those tidelands and bedlands adjacent to San Juan Island within a line
beginning on the shore 500 yards north of Point Caution, then 500 yards offshore, then south
and east following the shoreline to the intersection with a line projected from a University of
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 3
Washington marker located 100' north of the north entrance of the floating breakwater of the
Port of Friday Harbor and projected towards Reid Island, then along the line to shore on San
Juan Island.
Argyle Lagoon - Those University of Washington-owned tidelands and all bedlands enclosed
by the inner spit of Argyle Lagoon on San Juan Island.
Yellow and Low Islands - All tidelands and bedlands within 300 yards of Yellow Island and
300 yards of Low Island.
Shaw Island - Those tidelands and bedlands within a line beginning at a University of
Washington marker on the shore at Hicks Bay, 122 , 58', 15" west longitude, then due south
500 yards, then north and west at a distance of 500 yards from shore to the intersection with a
line projected 261 true from a University of Washington marker on the shore of Parks Bay,
which line passes just south of the unnamed island at the north end of Parks Bay, then along
the line to the shore of Shaw Island, including all tidelands and bedlands of Parks Bay south
of the line.
4.2 Exclusive Tribal Management Zone
The following area is closed to all State crab fisheries:
All waters of Lummi Bay east of a line from the entrance buoy at Sandy Point to Gooseberry
Point and all waters of Bellingham Bay west of a line from the exposed boulder at Point
Francis to the pilings at Stevies Point.
4.3 Non-Commercial Zones
The following areas are closed to all commercial crab fishing:
4.3.1 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 21B in Samish Bay south of
a line from Fish Point and Point Williams shallower than 60 feet.
4.3.2 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in Westcott and
Garrison Bays east of a line projected due south from Point White to its
intersection of San Juan Island.
4.3.3 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in East Sound north of
a line from the southern point of Judd Bay on the west to Giffin Rocks on the
east.
4.3.4 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 20A in Birch Bay east of a
line from the western boundary of Birch Bay State Park to the western point of
the entrance of the Birch Bay Marina.
4.3.5 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 21A which includes all
waters inside of Chuckanut Bay east of a line projected north from Governor’s
Point to the east side of Chuckanut Island thence to Chuckanut Rock thence to
the most southerly tip of Clark’s Point.
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 4
4.3.6 That portion of Marine Area 20B which includes all waters of Prevost Harbor
between Stuart Island and Satellite Island southwest of a line extending from
Charles Point on Stuart Island to the northwest tip of Satellite Island and
southwest of a line projected 120 degrees from true north from the southeast
end of Satellite Island to Stuart Island.
4.3.7 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in Blind Bay south of a
line projected due west from Point Hudson to its intersection of Shaw Island.
4.3.8 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in Fisherman Bay south
of an east-west line projected through the red #4 buoy at the entrance to
Fisherman Bay.
4.3.9 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in Mud Bay south of a
line projected through Crab and Fortress Islands and intersecting Lopez Island
on both ends.
4.3.10 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22B within a line projected
easterly from the northern end of the eastern most oil dock at March Point to
the red #2 buoy, thence south to the red #8 buoy, thence west to shore and
following the shoreline to the point of origin.
4.4 Limited Commercial Zones:
The following areas are closed to all commercial crab harvest from November 1 through
February 28 except as specified below, or as otherwise agreed in writing:
4.4.1 The area between the line from the western boundary of Birch Bay State Park
to the western point of the entrance of the Birch Bay Marina and a line from
the western boundary of Birch Bay State Park to Birch Point shall be open to
commercial crab fishers between November 1, 2003 and February 28, 2004.
4.4.2 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 20B which includes all
waters of Echo, Spring, Fossil, and Shallow Bays on Sucia Island west of a line
from the east tip of Ewing Island to the east tip of North Finger Island, thence
to Johnson Point, thence to Ev Henry Point shall be open to tribal commercial
fisheries between April 16th and July 15th 2003 and to all commercial crab
fishers during the in-common fishery.
4.4.3 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22A in Deer Harbor north of
a line from Steep Point to Pole Pass shall be open to all commercial crab
fishers from November 1, 2003 and February 28, 2004.
4.4.4 That portion of Marine Fish/Shellfish Catch Area 22B in Fidalgo Bay south of
a line from the red #4 buoy at the Cap Sante Marina entrance to the northern
end of the eastern most oil dock and thence to shore shall be open to tribal
commercial fishers during concurrent openings, with the same pot limits, in the
Bellingham/ Samish/Padilla Bays prior to September 1, and all commercial
crab fishers from November 1, 2003 and February 28, 2004
.
5. Other Management Provisions
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 5
5.1 The parties will provide the best available data on catches on a weekly basis or
other agreed reporting period, by posting fish ticket and/or estimates of the
number of landings, sum of pounds landed by area and date The parties will
work towards transfer of catch data to the web site maintained at the Northwest
Indian Fisheries Commission. The parties will establish regulations requiring
the weight of all crab received and not purchased for any reason to be recorded
on the appropriate receiving tickets by buyers. Live and dead crab not
purchased and taken away by the fisher shall be recorded as take home. Dead
crab dumped at the buyers shall be recorded as a separate entry (species code
661) on receiving tickets. Crab not purchased and returned to the water alive at
the buyer’s station shall be recorded on the fish ticket as species code 661-L
and will not be included in the allocation accounting.
5.3 5.2 In order to avoid fisheries during the period of the molt, pot fisheries
will be closed in Region One from April 16th, 2004 through July15, 2004
except as permitted under the provisions of Appendix C of the PSDCMA.
Portions of the San Juan Islands may need to be sampled and potentially closed
due to soft shell conditions prior to March 15, 2004. Pot fisheries may continue
or reopen by biological zones indicated in Appendix A, based on samples taken
at the reference areas identified in Appendix A according to the guidelines set
forth in Appendix C of the Puget Sound Dungeness Crab Management
Agreement of June 1998. To the extent possible advance notice of sampling
will be given to co-managers to provide the opportunity to observe/participate
the process. Results of sampling will be reported to co-managers prior to
taking actions based on the sample results.If either Party develops concerns
relative to the management principles underlying this Plan, the Parties will
meet and confer on the management actions, if any, which should be taken.
5.4 The parties will undertake their best efforts to ensure that buyers under their
jurisdiction mail completed fish tickets in less than 4 days particularly during
the critical period of August, September and October.
6. Changes to Plan
Changes to this plan may be made only upon written agreement by all signatory parties.
7. Authorized Signatures
This Plan is made by the following parties, and the undersigned persons have authority to
enter this Plan.
________________________________________________ _______________
DOUG MORRILL, Elwha S’Klallam Tribe Date
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 6
________________________________________________ _______________
SCOTT CHITWOOD, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Date
_______________________________________________ _______________
MERLE JEFFERSON, Lummi Tribe Date
________________________________________________ _______________
GARY MACWILLIAMS, Nooksack Tribe Date
______________________________________________ _______________
TAMARA GAGE Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Date
________________________________________________ _______________
ROBERT PURSER, Suquamish Tribe Date
________________________________________________ _______________
LORRAINE LOOMIS, Swinomish Tribal Community Date
________________________________________________ _______________
JOE HATCH, Tulalip Tribe Date
________________________________________________ _______________
DOREEN MALONEY, Upper Skagit Tribe Date
________________________________________________ _______________
LISA VENEROSO, Date
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 7
APPENDIX A
For 1998-1999 Region 1 will be divided into 6 Biological Zones for the purpose of sampling for crab hardness
and there are 3 reference stations where samples for crab hardness will be taken. When applicable, test
fishing will be conducted at a minimum between the 5-30 fathom depth range to determine overall hardness
and distribution. The type of bait should be noted.
Zone 1 - That portion of Area 20A north and west of a line from Point Whitehorn to the north Alden Bank
Buoy to the eastern most point on Patos Island, along the shore of Patos Island to the western most point and
thence due west to the international boundary.
RS -1 - the area from the end of the reef to the international boundary
RS- 2 - Off Birch Point from the northwest portion of Birch Bay toward Point Roberts
RS- 3 - Birch Bay westward to a depth of 30 fathoms
Zone 1-1 – Shallow waters of Birch Bay
Zone 2 - That portion of Area 20A south and east of a line from Point Whitehorn to the north Alden Bank
Buoy to the eastern most point on Patos Island, along the shore of Patos Island to the western most point and
thence due west to the international boundary.
RS- 1- Cherry Point to Point Whitehorn
RS- 2 The area around Alden Bank.
RS- 3- The area from off of Sandy Point and Neptune Beach to Point Migley.
Zone 3 - All of Area 20 B and that portion of 21A north of a line from Carter Point on Lummi Island to the
northern point of Sinclair Island
RS- 1-That area off western Waldron Island from the shallows of Cowlitz Bay
RS- 2- Echo Bay on Sucia Islands
RS- 3- The western side of Lummi Island from Skunk Bay to Lummi Rocks.
Zone 4 - All of Area 22A
RS- 1-Across the opening of Shoal Bay on Lopez Island NW to Orcas Island
RS- 2- The middle half of East Sound on Orcas Island
RS- 3- Central Lopez Sound from the Area of Trump Island to Blakely Island
Zone 5 - Area 21 A north of a line from Carter Point to Whiskey Rocks and including that portion of 21B
north of that line .
RS- 1- Western Bellingham Bay from the Glory Hole toward Treaty Rock
RS- 2- Eastern Bellingham Bay off of Post Point from the tunnel toward the Concrete Plant.
RS- 3- Mid Bellingham Bay from Governors Point to the reef north of Eliza Island
Zone 6 -All of 22B, all of Area 21B except that portion north of a line from Carter Point on Lummi Island to
Whiskey Rocks, and that portion of 21A south of a Line from Whiskey Rock to Carter Point to the northern
point of Sinclair Island.
RS- 1- The area between Sinclair and Vendovi Islands from Clark Point on Guemes to Viti Rocks.
RS - 2- The area along the border of Areas 21A and 21B at the mouth of Samish Bay
RS- 3- The Area from Hat Island east of Jack Island to a Point off of Point Williams at the north end
of Padilla Bay.
2003-2004Region 1 Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan May 22, 2003 page 8
