What Info Must Be on a Sports Crab Pot Buoy?

May 19, 2016

Question: What information is required to be displayed on sports crab pot buoys? I have placed my CF numbers from my boat on mine but have read that I must also place my GO ID numbers on the buoys. Can you please let me know what’s required for my buoys? Also, what are all of the necessary requirements for my crab pots to make them legal? (Ken H.)

Answer: No identification is currently required to be placed on the buoys of sport crab traps. However, beginning Aug. 1, 2016, a crab trap buoy must be legally marked with the operator’s GO ID number as stated on his/her sport fishing license.

Keep in mind that crab traps are only allowed in waters north of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), and are required to have at least two rigid circular openings of not less than four and one-quarter inches inside diameter, constructed so that the lowest portion of each opening is no lower than five inches from the top of the trap. Starting Aug. 1, 2016, crab traps must contain at least one destruct device of a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less that creates an unobstructed escape opening in the top or upper half of the trap of at least five inches in diameter when the destruct attachment material corrodes or fails (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.80(C)(1-3)).

Howard, does this mean all traps need to have a 5" ring starting 8/1/2016 or after the current 4.25" escape ring falls off and the opening left behind is a 5" opening?


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Just an opening, not another ring, right?

Correct me if I'm wrong but if you have one of those danielson box traps (heavy metal one) you're shit out of luck because the frame is interlocking and there is nothing to tie the self destructive strand to


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Correct me if I'm wrong but if you have one of those danielson box traps (heavy metal one) you're shit out of luck because the frame is interlocking and there is nothing to tie the self destructive strand to


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I believe the newer Danielsons has the cotton self destruct strand.  But the ring itself is 4.25".  I'm just not clear about the new regulation if it need to be 5" or not...


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I know someone who took his danielson pots down to the fish and wildlife office at noyo and asked them.  They said the pots were good like they were.  Now that's just one persons interpretation and we all know each officer has their own mind on interpretation so that is not official.  Don't know how to tell if it's the right cotton without sending to a lab so maybe they just want to see something on it that will eventually rot.