Lots of good questions that bring together LE issues, crab biology, and co-management with the tribes.

First, there is no legal NT commercial crabbing in marine areas 10, 11, 12 or 13. Secondly, where there is NT commercial crabbing it doesn't open until
1 October and runs to February or until the State's share in any particular MA is harvested. In that regard recreational crabbers have access to all of the State's share in the less productive areas and, arguably, priority in the other areas by virtue of the summer season before NT commercials.

The 1 July start date was a little bit biology, a little bit harvest management, and a little bit LE. Crab tend to molt later the further north one goes so south Sound crab, on average, harden earliest. In order to minimize LE issues and also try to ensure the summer recreational season does not exceed the State's share there is generally one opener (1 July) except in the San Juans and north which open later due to later molting. This also makes it easier on LE. There was much discussion during development of the new policy regarding the start dates, daily limits, and number of days/week to be open given that management areas have varying levels of harvest pressure as well as crab biomass. LE wanted the fewest number of variables hence what we now have.

As for tribal crabbers it is my opinion they are no better nor worse than the rest of us in terms of sorting/handling injury. But as far as your question about how the tribes get to fish earlier than you or me the answer is simple: Boldt. The individual tribes establish their own seasons which just seem to always precede the recreational season. I would be naive to believe that there isn't some effort to avoid conflict on the water by separating those harvest groups.

Now, let's talk MA 13. Generally the State and tribes negotiate the total harvest in a given management area. Then each group divvies up their 50% among its own user groups. For the State than means recreational and NT commercial while those tribes having U&A (usual and accustomed) rights in a management area have to come to an agreement. Well, in 2012 the Nisqually tribal fishers exceeded their share by 3X and in 2013 by 2X. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 they simply avoided criticism for fishing over their quota by not entering into any agreement and continuing to crab. The result is that the State (recreational crabbers) have not been able to harvest its share. In order to mitigate that situation the State has opened the recreational season early giving recreational crabbers a weak shot at crab.

Now, a final point. If you were to harvest crab in one of those MAs opening early be advised that you cannot legally move into a MA where crabbing is closed and participate in any form of harvest. For example, you cannot have crab aboard legally harvested in MA 13 and then run north of the Tacoma Narrows bridge and stop to fish ling (or perch, flounder, dig clams or harvest kelp (well, not exactly sure about kelp but it is licensed under your shellfish license and shellfish are covered)). No, I am not full of BS. See page 12 of the current regs under Harvest and Possession Rules and check out the eighth item under "You May Not." Just remember, I don't write them.....

Hope that helps and, yes, if you are going to crab in MA 13 the earlier the better in my opinion.