Arrest Made In Shellfish Scheme

BELLINGHAM - A Bellingham man has been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal shellfish operation that brought in as much as $2,500 a week.

John Achten, 26, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on Tuesday for investigation of five felonies and seven misdemeanors involving illegal shellfish harvesting.

Achten's alleged scheme became so blatant he posted day-glo signs and advertised his cut-rate price for crabs, said a state Department of Fish and Wildlife agent.

Two undercover agents purchased 100 crabs for $400 and arrested Achten on the deck of his house. Commercial crab harvesting is closed. The only crab available is imported or caught in tribal

fisheries.