WSU Beachwatchers is a non profit group with two esteemed Guemian members, Sean Hewitt and Dixon Elder. Evening seminar talks are interesting and relevant to Island living, history, seashore protection and most of all informative in the vein of local awareness.

The bottom of Puget Sound is littered with lost crab traps (sometimes called pots). It is estimated that 14,000 lost crab traps are in Puget Sound marine waters and that each lost pot can kill up to 75 Dungeness crabs each year unless it is equipped with biodegradable cotton ‘escape cord’ (or rot cord). Those lost pots can stay on the bottom of Puget Sound for up to 4 years before collapsing or degrading. Hundreds of crab can unintentionally be trapped. This huge waste of a precious harvest and environmental resource can be prevented with a simple fix. 

Use ‘Escape Cord’.  Escape cord/rot cord has a 120 thread size (or less) of 100% natural cotton fiber cord that will biodegrade over a period of several months unlike clothes line (with nylon inner fibers), twist ties, metal or other non-degradable materials.  As it degrades, escape cord allows escape hatches to open, so crabs are no longer trapped in derelict pots.  

Prior to the opening of Dungeness Crab season in southern Skagit County waters (July 1), ‘Escape Cord’ materials (donated by the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee) will be available at Anacortes Ace Hardware, Cap Sante Harbormaster’s office, West Marine Anacortes, Anacortes Marine Supply, Anderson’s Store on Guemes Island, and the Fidalgo Bay RV Park.

Starting this week and continuing through the summer, WSU Beach Watchers volunteers will also be handing out ‘Escape Cord’ at Shelter Bay Marina, La Conner Marina, and Cap Sante Boat Haven.  WSU Beach Watchers will also be present at several Skagit County boat launches (Twin Bridges-Swinomish and Washington Park) on the evening of July 14th and morning of July 15th sharing free samples of escape cord.  If you miss us at the launches and marinas but would like to receive free escape cord for your pot, please call the WSU Beach WatchersSkagit County Coordinator at (360)428-4270, ext. 223.

The best way to prevent unintentional crab mortality is to avoid losing your pot in the first place.  Here are a few tips: 

Use Labeled Bouys. Mark your gear with clearly visible buoys to alert passing boaters to the presence of your crab pot.

Weight Your Line. Weighted lines sink below the surface to avoid being cut by passing boats.

Use the Correct Length of Line. Knowing how deep the water is where you set your gear ensures that you will be able to find your buoy.

Should you lose your crab pot, there is a no-fault hotline to report lost gear (1-800-477-6224).  If your pots or buoys are addressed, you may receive them back with no penalty or fee if retrieved.  

For more information on: 

Sport crab fishing in Washington state, visit: wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm

‘Escape Cord’ visit: www.escapecord.org

Derelict gear in Puget Sound, visit: wdfw.wa.gov/fish/derelict/

WSU Beach Watcher program, visit: www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu  or contact the Skagit County Coordinator, at (360) 428-4270, ext. 223

This project is supported by the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee in partnership with Washington State University Beach Watchers. 

Contact the program coordinator, Adria Banks, at abanks@co.skagit.wa.us or (360) 428-4270, ext. 223.