(1) 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 and a permitted degradable material described in subsection (2) of this section:
(a) Attachment of pot lid hooks or tiedown straps with a permitted degradable material so that the pot lid will open freely once the material degrades.
(b) An opening in the pot mesh created by the degradation of a permitted degradable material that is no less than three inches by five inches.
(c) 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.
(2) It is unlawful to use any materials to construct an escape mechanism except for those described below:
(a) A single strand of natural fiber no larger than thread size 120 of untreated cotton twine, hemp, jute, sisal, or other natural fiber.
(b) A single strand of twine or natural fiber may not be wrapped multiple times or doubled in any way when lacing or sewing the wire mesh closed.
(3) Modification, treatment, or preparation of any permitted degradable materials intended to extend the life or modify the degradable quality of the material is prohibited.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.047, 77.12.320, 77.32.050, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, and 77.65.220. WSR 26-11-003 (Order 26-68), s 220-340-060, filed 5/7/26, effective 6/7/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04-055 [ 77.04.055], 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 22-08-048, § 220-340-060, filed 3/31/22, effective 5/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-340-060, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. 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.]