For crabbers dropping their pots in the waters surrounding Whidbey, this weekend is the last chance to do so this summer.
All marine areas encompassing the island, including most of Puget Sound, close to crabbing at the end of the day on Sept. 4.
Crabbers fishing from a boat must retrieve their gear one hour before sunset. Those dropping pots from piers or shorelines have until the end of the day.
The only marine areas that will remain open are Marine Areas 7-North and 7-South near the San Juan Islands, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The two areas will remain open Thursdays through Mondays each week through Sept. 30.
Crabbers have until Oct. 1 to submit their summer catch reports to the department. Those fishing in the San Juans must record their catch on winter catch record cards, according to a department press release.
Catch record cards can be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/#/
