WAC 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.

     (2) An opening in the pot mesh no less than three inches by five inches which is laced or sewn closed with untreated cotton twine or other natural fiber no larger than thread size 120. 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 77.12.047. 06-07-044 (Order 06-38), § 220-52-035, filed 3/9/06, effective 4/9/06; 03-16-097 (Order 03-180), § 220-52-035, filed 8/6/03, effective 9/6/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 87-23-006 (Order 87-187), § 220-52-035, filed 11/6/87.]