I have lived and recreationally harvested seafood from Puget Sound (Whidbey Island 43 yrs.) all of my life. I have never recalled so damn many commercial pots going after the crab as there now are. Commercial pots everywhere (RAPE!!!!) It is not just disappointing it is absolutly discusting!
A Washington Fisheries Marine Biologist did a presentation on crab at a Fishing Club meeting quiet a while back and some statistics came to light that I believe should be brought into consideration by us all. That statistic is that the commercials and the Indians collect over ninety nine percent of the crab off of the Washington Coast. Obviously the recreationals collect one percent or less off the coast. Now if they get most all of the crab off of the coast, why shouldn't the recreationals get the vast majority of the crab inside of Puget sound? It make sense as we are not equiped for the Oceans perils and the commercials are! We have to make some dramatic changes as we are getting screwed!!!