Tensions between recreational, tribal and state commercial Dungeness crabbers in Puget Sound are continuing as fishermen debate harvest allocations, catch reporting and who gets access to the resource first.
According to a report from Cascadia Daily News, much of the frustration centers on recreational catch reporting and the effect those numbers can ultimately have on state commercial fishing opportunities.
Under longstanding treaty rights and court decisions, tribes and nontribal harvesters split the available Dungeness crab harvest 50/50. Washington’s share is then divided between recreational and commercial fisheries…