Crab aren’t catching much of a break from the Department of Fish and Wildlife these days.

Most marine areas of Puget Sound, including those around Whidbey Island, will reopen for recreational crab fishing Oct. 1, the state agency recently announced.

Starting 8 a.m. Thursday, waters reopen in all of marine areas that surround the island: 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet). Crabbing in Marine Area 7 (San Juan islands) also is reopening.

In each area, crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31.

Daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches.

In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least five inches across.

All Dungeness crab caught must be recorded on winter catch cards, valid through Dec. 31. Those cards are free to those with crab endorsements.