Crabbing season runs Thursdays through Mondays through Sept. 3 in waters surrounding Island County.

WSU Island County Beach Watchers is encouraging all crabbers to use cotton cord to secure the doors of crab pots.

“Cotton cord will rot if pots are lost; derelict crab gear continues to catch, and kill, crabs for years,” said Barbara Lyon Bennett, program coordinator for WSU Beach Watchers in Island County.

Bennett has several recommendations for crabbers to maintain an abundant supply of crab:

• Use cotton cord (no plastic or chemical content cord) to secure doors of crab pots.

• Abide by all regulations.

• Only harvest crabs that are the minimum size.

• Do not harvest soft-shelled crabs.

• Mark pots and check water depth before dropping pots. Lost pots continue to catch and kill crabs for years.

n Report lost pots to the derelict gear reporting hotline at 1-855-542-3935.

Members of WSU Beach Watchers will be at boat ramps in Island County and will have cotton cord and copies of regulations available.