Although we'll get a double-check when the numbers are in at the end of the year, to date the new crab policy appears to have been implemented properly by Childers and the folks in the Shellfish Department. A group of folks from CCA and PSA who work a lot more than they post kept in very regular communication with the Department about the Oct 1 date and the commercial and recreational opener.

Expectations were met. Areas from MA 10 south that did not re-open, or that opened on curtailed schedules, did so because the Recreational crabbers caught all, or near all, of that State Share for each area during the Summer. Non-tribal commercial crabbing is not allowed from MA 10 south.

Based on returned and reported recreational cards the Dept. determined that there was sufficient crab for a condensed commercial season in areas north of MA 10. Those boats went out with half the pots otherwise allowed by their permits. The Department monitored daily commercial catch reports to ensure the commercial harvest was in accordance with projections (something sportfishing advocates worried about and noted to the Department). With the execption of the little piece of MA 9 above Hood Canal, in every Marine Area in which non-tribal commercials were afforded an opportunity to crab, recreational anglers were guaranteed a full winter season from early October through the end of the year--just as provided in the new Commission policy.

And of course on October 8, portions of Puget Sound that have not seen a winter season in a very long time (and others that have) opened to recreational harvest seven days a week. That is a significant increase in opporunity for many recreational crabbers. At the very least, it's a nice hedge on coming home with dinner from a winter blackmouth trip.

This is a win. The Commission showed courage in righting an unjust allocation. The WA AG's Office defended the commercial crab injunction and underlying lawsuit against the Commission's policy and won, twice. Through it all, while dealing with budget cuts and public disclosure act requests from the commercials, the Department kept its focus and implemented the first season of the new crab policy in a reasonable and upstanding manner. There is no scandal here, and it's sort of pathetic to keep trying desparately to find one. This went well because a lot of people (in government and out of governement) worked hard, for a long time, to make it happen.