A lost crab pot can kill 75 Dungeness crabs each year if it is not equipped with escape cord, a biodegradable cotton cord.

Those lost pots can stay at the bottom of Puget Sound for up to four years before collapsing or degrading.

While all recreational and commercial crabbers are required to use escape cord, at least 16 percent of the lost pots retrieved in Skagit County waters have not been properly equipped.

Dead and dying crab become bait for new crabs, perpetuating the cycle and causing unwanted waste of the harvest and environmental resource.

Dungeness crab season opens July 2 and in an effort to encourage people to equip their pots with escape cord, the Skagit County Beach Watchers will share information and hand out free samples of escape cord at the Washington Park boat launch from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 5.

Because of the tides, volunteers may move to Cap Sante Boat Haven or Skyline Marina sling launches when the park boat launch becomes restricted by low tide.

Ways to ensure crab pots aren’t lost include using labeled buoys to make the presence of crab pots clearly visible to passing boaters, weighting lines so they sink below the surface and avoid being cut by passing boats and knowing how deep the water is so the length of line used is appropriate.

The Beach Watchers are part of the Washington State University county extensions program. Contact them at (360)428-4270, ext. 223, or . for free escape cord samples if you miss them at the launch.

For more information on escape cords, see http://www.escapecord.org. A no-fault hotline to report lost gear is (800) 477-6224. If pots or buoys are addressed, users may receive them back with no penalty or fee if retrieved.