Marine Area 6, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, opens for recreational harvest of non-spot shrimp only

August 7, 2023

Marine Area 6, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, opens for recreational harvest of non-spot shrimp only

 

Actions:  Opens the non-spot shrimp only fishery in Marine Area 6 outside Discovery Bay from Aug. 8 through Oct. 15 with a 175-foot maximum fishing depth restriction.

Species affected:  Non-spot shrimps, which include the coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.

Shrimp opportunities currently open or scheduled by area:      

Marine Area 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line):  Open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

Marine Area 5:  Open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

Marine Area 7 East: Open for non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 200 feet.

Marine Area 7 South (Only that portion of Marine Area 7 South that is west of a line projected due south from Point Colville on Lopez Island and east of a line projected due south from Cattle Point on San Juan Island): Open for all shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset Aug. 7 through 14.

Marine Area 7 West:  Open for all shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset Aug. 7 through 14.

Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2: Open for non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 175 feet.

Marine Area 9:  Open for non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 150 feet.

Marine Area 11: Open for non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 150 feet.

Marine Area 13:  Open for non-spot shrimp, immediately through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 200 feet.

Reason for action: To harvest recreational non-spot shrimp consistent with state/tribal management agreements.

Additional information:

In the areas of Puget Sound open for all shrimp species, the daily limit per fisher is 80 spot shrimp; with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp) of all species of shrimp combined.

In areas open only for non-spot shrimp, the daily limit is 10 pound (whole shrimp) of all species combined. Maximum depth limits mean that it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters deeper than the max. limit.

If retaining any non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads (spot and non-spot) must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.

Information contact: Donald Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, 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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.