Section 220-52-035. Commercial shellfish pot gear—Escape mechanism required.

It is unlawful to fish for or possess crab, shrimp, or crawfish taken for commercial purposes with shellfish pot gear unless the gear allows for escapement using at least one of the following methods:

(1) Attachment of pot lid hooks or tiedown straps with a single strand or loop of untreated cotton twine or other natural fiber no larger than thread size 120 so that the pot lid will open freely if the twine or fiber is broken. It is permissible to use a single strand of cotton twine or other natural fiber tied together at the ends so that it can be looped between the tie down straps and the lid hook to connect them together.

(2) Providing an opening in the pot mesh no less than three inches by five inches and laced or sewn closed with one single strand of untreated cotton twine or other natural fiber no larger than thread size 120. The single strand of cotton may not be wrapped multiple times or doubled in any way when lacing or sewing the wire mesh closed. The opening must be located within the top half of the pot and be unimpeded by the entry tunnels, bait boxes, or any other structures or materials.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047. WSR 11-09-072 (Order 11-72), § 220-52-035, filed 4/19/11, effective 5/20/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-07-044 (Order 06-38), § 220-52-035, filed 3/9/06, effective 4/9/06; WSR 03-16-097 (Order 03-180), § 220-52-035, filed 8/6/03, effective 9/6/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 87-23-006 (Order 87-187), § 220-52-035, filed 11/6/87.]

RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047. WSR 11-09-072 (Order 11-72), § 220-52-035, filed 4/19/11, effective 5/20/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-07-044 (Order 06-38), § 220-52-035, filed 3/9/06, effective 4/9/06; WSR 03-16-097 (Order 03-180), § 220-52-035, filed 8/6/03, effective 9/6/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 87-23-006 (Order 87-187), § 220-52-035, filed 11/6/87.