Pink Shrimp commercial fishing vessel off the coast of Washington State.   Eulachon-Shrimp Trawl Observer Project On March 13, 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed to list the Southern Distinct Population Segment (which consists of all eulachon spawning south of the Dixon Entrance and Nass River, BC) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (74 FR 10857; 50 CFR Part 223: 10857-10876). Subsequently, NOAA Fisheries announced that it is listing the southern distinct population segment (DPS) of eulachon as threatened under the ESA. The listing became effective on May 17, 2010. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) provided NMFS with comments: WDFW felt there was a paucity of genetic data and limited understanding of how freshwater and oceanic environments affect eulachon population structure. They stated that, without direct observation, it was impossible to estimate the amount of bycatch in the Washington shrimp trawl fishery. Furthermore, it was recognized that fishery exploitation could not be calculated due to an unknown terminal run size. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and WDFW sought and were awarded funds in 2010 by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service to support a bi-state, multi-part project to address these limitations. The shrimp trawl observer project is one of four parts of the project and is intended to assess and reduce the impacts of shrimp trawl operations on eulachon smelt by initiating an observer program to estimate the bycatch rates in Washington‘s ocean shrimp trawl fishery and by developing and testing modifications to ocean shrimp trawl gear or operations. Beginning in 2011, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is deploying observers on shrimp trawl vessels to collect bycatch data. The links below provide important information for Washington shrimp trawl license holders and vessel operators.    Notices to Industry • April 2011 • March 2011    Important Information 2011 Washington Shrimp Trawl Permit Conditions Pink Shrimp Trawl Observer Project Vessel Manual Skipper Logbook Information regarding eulachon smelt and the listing can be found at the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Northwest Regional Office link below: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Other-Marine-Species/Eulachon.cfm Fishery Manager: Lorna Wargo (360) 249-1221 Project Lead: Brad Speidel (360) 581-6131

Coastal Pink Shrimp Fishery

Annual Letters
•	March 2012
•	March 2011
•	March, 2010
•	December 7, 2009
•	November 19, 2009
•	January, 2008
•	March, 2007

History

The Washington coastal pink shrimp fishery dates back to the late 1950’s. In the early years, the number of vessels in the fishery generally numbered less than two-dozen; and until the 1970’s, landings did not exceed two million pounds. During the following two decades, the fishery expanded with abundant shrimp and good markets. In 1988, just over 18 million pounds of pink shrimp were landed by 53 vessels. In 1990, nearly 100 vessels landed about 15 million pounds at an ex-vessel price per pound ranging from 45 cents to 64 cents. However, within a few years a dramatic decline in local abundance drove many fishers out of the fishery. The fleet numbered just over 50 vessels in 1994, and fewer than 30 four years later. Since the late 1990’s, trawling for pink shrimp has improved some. The market remains relatively flat with ex-vessel values ranging from 15 to 35 cents per pound, but the 20 to 30 fishers still active annually in the fishery have benefited from an apparent increase in pink shrimp abundance.

Hoop Grate Excluder

Management

Compared to other trawl fisheries, the pink shrimp fishery provides fishers a stable commercial opportunity. Management of the fishery is passive; a scheduled season runs from April through October each year, and there is no quota or total allowable catch. Regulations are in place to restrict mesh size, count per pound, and the incidental harvest of other species.

The most significant management action recently taken has been the implementation of regulations requiring the use of fin fish excluders to protect over-fished stocks of rockfish. Typically, rockfish and other species represented about 5% of the total value of the shrimp fishery. In 2000, the Pacific Fishery Management Council determined canary rockfish to be overfished under the terms of the Sustainable Fisheries Act.

Pink Shrimp off-load at Westport, WA

In response to this determination Washington, Oregon, and California committed to reducing the incidental take of canary rockfish in state managed ocean pink shrimp fisheries. Finfish excluders were deemed the most effective approach. Initially, the use of excluders was voluntary through a program that provided fishers time to experiment with the different types and designs, make modifications, and advise mangers on regulations. Through this program, finfish excluders were made mandatory mid-season in 2001 and 2002; and permanently beginning in 2003. The landings of canary rockfish and other fin fish species now comprise less than 0.01 percent of the total value.

In Washington, there are approximately 100 pink shrimp permits for the coastal fishery but only a quarter to a third of these are actively fished each year. The majority of the shrimp fleet is based at Westport; a couple of vessels operate out of Ilwaco. Pink shrimp are sold to buyers and processors in Westport, Tokeland, and Ilwaco.

Stock Abundance and Harvest

Pink shrimp abundance off the coast of Washington is unknown but assumed stable. Agency reductions in force in 1993 eliminated active pink shrimp management and a mandatory logbook program was discontinued. Catch information is available but, by itself is insufficient for assessing stock strength.

The Washington coastal fishery typically lands about seven to eight million pounds annually. Most fishing occurs off the central and southern coast of Washington.

Rules and Regulations

WAC 220-52-075
Shrimp - Shellfish harvest logs

WAC 220-52-050
Ocean pink shrimp trawl fishery -- Coastal waters.

Pink Shrimp Landings and Number of Vessels: 1990-2012	Pink Shrimp Landings and Total Direct Value: 1990-2012
Pink Shrimp Landings and Direct Value per Vessel: 1990-2012	Ocean Pink Shrimp Licenses Issued Number of Active License-Vessels 1996-2012
Pink Shrimp Landings by Month for 2009, 2010 and 2012 and the 15 Year Average