Daily limit increase in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West; non-spot shrimp fishing reopening in several areas of Puget Sound

May 31, 2016

Action: The daily bag limit is increasing to 160 shrimp for all species (including spot shrimp) in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West. Open daily.

In addition, Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 11 are reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing, with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. Marine Area 7 East is reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. And Marine Area 13 is reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing with a 250-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. Open daily. All spot shrimp caught must be returned to the water immediately.

Effective date: June 1, 2016.

Species affected: All shrimp species.

Location: Marine Areas 6 and 7 West (only) for the daily bag limit increase. Marine Areas 7 East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11 and 13 for the coonstripe and pink shrimp reopening.

Reason for action: Sufficient recreational quota remains in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West for raising the daily bag limit on a trial basis. Although the spot shrimp quotas have been reached in Marine Areas 7 East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11 and 13 there is sufficient non-spot quota remaining to reopen.

Other information: After May 31 Marine Areas 7 South and 10 are closed for the 2016 season, along with the Hood Canal and Discovery Bay Shrimp Districts (where the last open fishing day was May 30).

Contact: Mark O'Toole, La Conner, (360) 466-4345 ext. 241, or Don Velasquez, Mill Creek, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.