Shrimp daily limit to increase in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West; non-spot shrimping to reopen in several Puget Sound areas

May 24, 2017

May 23, 2017

Shrimp daily limit to increase in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West; non-spot shrimping to reopen in several Puget Sound areas

Action: The daily bag limit is increasing to 120 shrimp for all species (including spot shrimp) in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West beginning on June 1. Open daily.

In addition, on June 1, Marine Area 7 East is reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction; 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; 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, 2017.

Species affected: All species for Marine Area 6 and 7 West. Coonstripe and pink shrimp for Marine Areas 7 East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11 and 13.

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 is available 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 available to reopen for those shrimp species.

Other information: Marine Area 10 and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District are closed for the season.

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. 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.