That was a blunder of epic proportions. Any (competent) manager of gill nets knows the size selectivity. Back in the 80s there was a conservation issue with Skagit coho. So, the State and Tribes fished chum with either 6 or 6.5" minimum. Caught lots of chum and almost zero coho. Salmon management ended 11/30 and conservation/managment responsibility went over to WDG and steelhead. Mesh size dropped to 5" (catch those steelies) and the hammered coho.

I can see the crab case getting really ugly, depending on how hard the State wants to fight. Were I a betting man I'd put my money on "roll over".