Crab Pot Escapement Study
NRC developed and executed a Crab Pot Escapement Study in partnership with our client, Northwest Straits Foundation. The study was conducted at NOAA’s Mukilteo Research Station. The research study was designed to (1) determine the effectiveness of commonly used pot designs and escape mechanisms in allowing crab escapement, and (2) test simple modifications to increase escapement effectiveness in pots with less effective escape mechanisms. The study determined the escapement rates of Dungeness crab from 13 different crab pot configurations used in the Puget Sound recreational crab fishery. These designs represent the breadth of designs used in Puget Sound. NRC provided guidance on study design, assisted with acquiring funding and developing necessary partnerships, oversaw data collection, analyzed data, and presented the findings at various public events and conferences. Final report is available upon request.